On-Line Lectures

Department of Entomology
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

©Alexei Sharov

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Lecture Handouts

  1. Introduction: Population systems and their components.
    1.1. What is population ecology?
    1.2. Models as analytical tools
    1.3. Population system
    1.4. Petri nets (optional)
    1.5. Questions and Assignments
  2. Estimation of population density and size.
    2.1. Censusing a Whole Population
    2.2. Simple Random or Systematic Sampling
    2.3. How Many Samples?
    2.4. Elements of Geostatistics
    2.5. Stratified Sampling
    2.6. Capture-Recapture and Removal Methods
    2.7. Indirect Measures of Population Density
    2.8. Questions and Assignments
  3. Spatial distribution of organisms.
    3.1. Tree Types of Spatial Distribution
    3.2. Random Distribution
    3.3. Aggregated Spatial Distribution
    3.4. Indexes of Aggregation
    3.5. Density-Invariant Indexes of Aggregation
    3.6. Geostatistical Analysis of Population Distribution
    3.7. Fractal Dimension of Population Distribution
    3.8. Questions and Assignments
  4. Statistical analysis of population dynamics.
    4.1. Correlation between population density and various factors
    4.2. Correlation between factors
    4.3. Example: Colored fox in Labrador (1839-1880)
    4.4. Autocorrelation of factors and model validation
    4.5. Stochastic models based on regression
    4.6. Biological interpretation of stochastic models. Response surfaces
  5. Reproducing populations: exponential and logistic growth.
    5.1 Exponential model
    5.2. Logistic model
    5.3. Discrete-time analogs of the exponential and logistic models
    5.4. Questions and assignments
  6. Life-tables, k-values.
    6.1. Age-dependent life-tables
    6.2. Stage-dependent life-tables
    6.3. Questions and assignments
  7. Model of Leslie.
    7.1. Model structure
    7.2. Model behavior
    7.3. Intrinsic rate of population increase
    7.4. Stable age distribution
    7.5. Modifications of the Leslie model
  8. Development of poikilothermous organisms, degree-days.
    8.1 Rate of development
    8.2 Simple degree-day model
    8.3 How to measure temperature?
    8.4 Improved degree-day model
    8.5 Other non-linear models of development
    8.6 Physiological time
    8.7 How to combine physiological time with the model of Leslie?
    8.8 Questions and Assignments
  9. Stability, oscillations and chaos in population dynamics.
    9.1. Introduction
    9.2. Attractors and Their Types
    9.3. Equilibrium: Stable or Unstable?
    9.4. Quantitative Measures of Stability
    9.5. Limit Cycles and Chaos
    9.6. Questions and Assignments
  10. Predators, Parasites, and Pathogens.
    10.1. Introduction
    10.2. Lotka-Volterra Model
    10.3. Functional and Numerical Response
    10.4. Predator-Prey Model with Functional Response
    10.5. Host-Parasitoid Models
    10.6. Host-Pathogen Model (Anderson & May)
    10.7. Questions and Assignments
  11. Competition and Cooperation.
    11.1. Intra-specific competition
    11.2. Competition between species
    11.3. Ecological niche
    11.4. Cooperation
  12. Dispersal and spatial dynamics.
    12.1. Random Walk
    12.2. Diffusion Models
    12.3. Stratified Dispersal
    12.4. Metapopulation Models
  13. Population outbreaks.
    13.1. Ecological mechanisms of outbreaks
    13.2. A model of an outbreak
    13.3. Catastrophe theory
    13.4. Classification of outbreaks
    13.5. Synchronization of outbreaks in space

Labs

  1. Orientation in software: Microsoft Excel.
  2. How to write a scientific paper
  3. Population sampling and spatial distribution.
  4. Statistical analysis of population change.
  5. Model of Leslie.
  6. Development of poikilothermous organisms.
  7. Model of Ricker: stability, oscillations, chaos.
  8. Parasitism and biological control

Statistical tables

  1. t-statistics
  2. Chi-square statistics
  3. F-statistics, P=0.05
  4. F-statistics, P=0.01
  5. F-statistics, P=0.001
Alexei Sharov