Complexities in a Plant-Herbivore Model

Dynamics of a discrete-time plant-herbivore model

Dynamics of a plant-herbivore model.

We formulate a simple host-parasite type model to study the interaction of certain plants and herbivores. Our two-dimensional discrete-time model utilizes leaf and herbivore biomass as state variables. The parameter space consists of the growth rate of the host population and a parameter describing the damage inflicted by herbivores. We present insightful bifurcation diagrams in that parameter ...

A Two Patch Model for Plant-herbivore Interactions

Our objective is to understand how insect (parasite) migration is impacted by the local population dynamics. We formulate and study a simple two patch discrete time plant herbivore (parasite) model. A fundamental feature of the model is the occurrence of three different time separated phases: Plant growth is followed by a parasite attack which is followed by a dispersal of the parasite. Our mod...

Can inducible resistance in plants cause herbivore aggregations? Spatial patterns in an inducible plant/herbivore model.

Many theories regarding the evolution of inducible resistance in plants have an implicit spatial component, but most relevant population dynamic studies ignore spatial dynamics. We examined a spatially explicit model of plant inducible resistance and herbivore population dynamics to explore how realistic features of resistance and herbivore responses influence spatial patterning. Both transient...

Mathematical model of consumer homeostasis control in plant-herbivore dynamics

Consumers must regulate the elemental composition of body tissue at ratios that differ from those of their food. This problem of elemental homeostasis is especially acute for herbivores for which elemental composition of food does not equal that of the consumer and changes widely throughout the lifespan. We extend work of Sterner [1] and Frost & Elser [2] using a dynamic model of homeostatic co...