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Stage‐structured matrix models for organisms with non‐geometric development times
Author(s) -
Birt Andrew,
Feldman Richard M.,
Cairns David M.,
Coulson Robert N.,
Tchakerian Maria,
Xi Weimin,
Guldin James M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.1890/08-0757.1
Subject(s) - matrix (chemical analysis) , matrix model , development (topology) , simplicity , ecology , population model , population , organism , mathematics , stage (stratigraphy) , computer science , mathematical optimization , econometrics , statistics , biological system , biology , paleontology , mathematical analysis , philosophy , materials science , demography , epistemology , sociology , composite material , string (physics) , mathematical physics
Matrix models have been used to model population growth of organisms for many decades. They are popular because of both their conceptual simplicity and their computational efficiency. For some types of organisms they are relatively accurate in predicting population growth; however, for others the matrix approach does not adequately model growth rate. One of the reasons for the lack of accuracy is that most matrix‐based models implicitly assume a specific degree of variability in development times for the organism. Because the variability is implicit, the implied variances are often not verified with experimental data. In this paper, we shall present extensions to the stage‐classified matrix models so that organisms with arbitrary means and standard deviations of development times can be modeled.