Spatiotemporal Models of Population and Community Dynamics

This book presents a comprehensive typology and a comprehensible description of spatiotemporal models used in population dynamics. The main types included are: reaction-diffusion systems, patch models, matapopulation approaches, host parasitoid models, cellular automata (interacting particle systems), tessellations and distance models. The models are introduced through examples and with informative verbal explanations to help understanding. Some of the cellular automation examples are models not yet published elsewhere. Possible extensions of certain model types are suggested.

Introduction. Part One: Spatial mass-interaction models. Reaction-diffusion models of population growth and dispersion. Population dynamics in patchy environments. Spatially implicit patch models: metapopulations and aggregated interactions. Part Two: Neighbourhood models of population interactions. Site-based neighbourhood models. Individual-based neighbourhood models. Epilogue.