Description
Hi there,
Could you please use POPULUS to answer these questions? POPULUS is a free application that graph two compete species. The link to download POPULUS provide in this page. Please answer it from your observation, do not use google to answer it. However, you can use google to understand some definition.
Some steps help you to know how to start on POPULUS:
At the main menu in Populus, choose "Multi-Species Interactions". On the multi-species interactions menu choose "Lotka-Volterra Competition". This will get you into the model that we will use this week. In case you need a refresher about the material, the Help Menu in Populus opens a pdf file that reviews ecological concepts and processes modeled by the program.
The Lotka-Volterra model of competition is a simple extension of the logistic model of intraspecific competition and population growth, with the added complications of equations for two (or more) species, and the addition of interspecific competition coefficients. In the two species case Populus designates the competition coefficients as a and b, where a is the effect of species 2 on species 1, and b is the effect of species 1 on species 2. Note that in the book the equivalent terminology for a is α 12 and for b is α 21. The remaining terminology (r, K, N) is the same as in the logistic model.
POPULUS linke:
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Explanation & Answer
Hey! I completed the questions! To be honest, I cannot answer Q2 with much of a certainty, since there is no initial population given to answer. If I had to make an explanation I'd say this:Since the intrinsic rate of increase is very low for both species, it means that the population density does not increase rapidly (since there is a very slow reproduction rate). Thus, the species would not compete for the space in the short term. So, it makes them weak competitors.If you want anything else, don't hesitate to ask me!
1) Since α12 ≥ 0 and α21 ≥ 0, of course there is a competition between the two species.
2) ???
3) Lepomis macrochirus is the stronger competitor, since its effect on Lepomis cyanellus is
greater than the the inverse (in other words, α12 > α21)
4) This will be the phase-plane graph:
5) The 2nd species would displace the other, since it would be , thus the 1 st would be extinct.
6) Something that could test the interspecies competition is increasing/decreasing the
population of each species and observe the response of the other species.
7) As seen from the graph, the increase was logistic and Species 1 did reach its carrying
capacity, 600, something that was expected since it does not have a competition. It took it
almost 65 years to reach its carrying capacity, as shown above.
8) As seen from the graph, the increase was logistic and Species 2 did reach its carrying
capacity, 600, something that was expected since it does not have a competition. It took it
also...