Open AccessA simple population model for bark beetles providing general guidelines for the application of aggregation and anti‐aggregation pheromones
Author(s) -
Stenseth Nils Chr.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
ecography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.973
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1600-0587
pISSN - 0906-7590
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0587.1989.tb00915.x
Subject(s) - pest analysis , simple (philosophy) , ecology , population , pest control , computer science , control (management) , sex pheromone , bark (sound) , integrated pest management , risk analysis (engineering) , biology , artificial intelligence , epistemology , business , zoology , demography , botany , sociology , philosophy
Pest control programs are usually evaluated without considering the population dynamics effects of the particular manipulation being recommended. A simple mathematical model is analysed which demonstrates that neglecting population dynamics may be disastrous. Emphasis is placed on the kinds of questions that must be asked before a pest control strategy can be fully evaluated. The discussion must necessarily be speculative since we lack the essential empirical basis for evaluating the effects of suggested pest control treatments. In itself, it is indeed alarming that this discussion must be speculative.