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One equation helps solve three paradoxes in the spatial ecology of predators and prey

Mark Lewis, University of Victoria
Tuesday April 15, 12-1pm
Zoom Link:听
In Person: 550 Sherbrooke, Room 189

Abstract:听In this talk I will introduce three paradoxes in the spatial ecology of predators and prey (1) Buffer Zone Paradox: Why to wolves maintain stable buffer zones for prey, even though they may be only saving prey for the neighboring packs? (2) Road Use Paradox: Why are wolves attracted to roads and related linear features, even though that can mean higher chances of dying? (3) Path Less Travelled Paradox: Why do wolves preferentially travel to places they haven鈥檛 been recently, even if it means fewer prey? To help solve these paradoxes, I will start with the Fokker-Planck equation, which describes the probability density function for an individual undergoing a random walk. I will then employ a mixture of mathematical approaches including nonlinear advection-diffusion, differential games, first passage time theory and stochastic processes. All of the resulting models will be fit to data before drawing scientific conclusions.