You are here

Mathematical modeling of plankton patchiness

Download pdf | Full Screen View

Date Issued:
2009
Summary:
In natural systems, it has been observed that plankton exist in patches rather than in an even distribution across a body of water. However, the mechanisms behind this patchiness are not fully understood. Several previous modeling studies have examined the effects of abiotic and biotic factors on patch structure. Yet these models ignore a key point: zooplankton often undergo diel vertical migration. I have formulated a model that incorporates vertical movement into the Rosezweig-MacArthur (R-M) predator-prey model. The R-M model is stable only at a carrying capacity below a critical value. I found that adding vertical movement stabilizes the system even at a high carrying capacity. By analyzing temporal stability and spatial structure, my results show that vertical movement interacts with carrying capacity to determine patch structure.
Title: Mathematical modeling of plankton patchiness.
106 views
33 downloads
Name(s): Ather, Simantha S.
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Department of Biological Sciences
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Issued: 2009
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Physical Form: electronic
Extent: vii, 48 p. : ill. (some col.)
Language(s): English
Summary: In natural systems, it has been observed that plankton exist in patches rather than in an even distribution across a body of water. However, the mechanisms behind this patchiness are not fully understood. Several previous modeling studies have examined the effects of abiotic and biotic factors on patch structure. Yet these models ignore a key point: zooplankton often undergo diel vertical migration. I have formulated a model that incorporates vertical movement into the Rosezweig-MacArthur (R-M) predator-prey model. The R-M model is stable only at a carrying capacity below a critical value. I found that adding vertical movement stabilizes the system even at a high carrying capacity. By analyzing temporal stability and spatial structure, my results show that vertical movement interacts with carrying capacity to determine patch structure.
Identifier: 497000897 (oclc), 368615 (digitool), FADT368615 (IID), fau:4257 (fedora)
Note(s): by Simantha Ather.
Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009.
Includes bibliography.
Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.
Subject(s): Marine plankton -- Vertical distribution
Marine ecology -- Mathematical models
Macroecology -- Mathematical models
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/368615
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU