This monograph summarizes several decades of collaborations between ecologists and mathematicians, presenting novel applications in biological modeling. The authors are among the first researchers to pioneer the use of dynamical systems models to successfully describe and predict animal behavior in relation to environmental changes. The text highlights the biological and mathematical techniques used in the research, including three main components: 1) large data sets on natural populations in the field; 2) mathematical models rigorously tied to data, which describe, explain, and predict behavioral dynamics in relation to environmental variables; and 3) simplified, proof-of-concept models to probe dynamic mechanisms, suggest testable hypotheses, and allow study of the consequences of environmental change and evolving traits. It is a suitable text for field ecologists interested in the modeling procedures and conclusions addressed therein, as well as mathematicians interested inapplications to population, ecological, and evolutionary dynamics.

Presents unique modeling of dynamical systems for animal behavior in vertebrates Written in accessible style for both mathematicians and ecologists Incorporates realistic models linked to field data

Autorentext

Saber N. Elaydi is Professor of Mathematics and the department chair at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. His main objectives in teaching is to make mathematics accessible to all Trinity students regardless of their background or academic focus. His UTM entitled An Introduction to Difference Equations is in its 3rd edition with Springer. Jim M. Cushing is Professor Emeritus of the Department of Mathematics at University of Arizona. His research involves the derivation and analysis of mathematical models that describe population and evolutionary dynamics. Professor Cushing is particularly interested in structured population dynamics and also studies evolutionary game theoretic versions of population models.

Inhalt
Influence of Environmental Factors on Animal Behavior: Univariate Models.- Influence of Environmental Factors on Animal Behavior: Multivariate Models.- Cannibalism and Climate Change.- Models of Population Dynamics.- Evolutionary Consequences.- Concluding Thoughts.- Appendix.