Population dynamics An introduction to differential equations

Abstract

In this paper a number of population models, which lead to differential equations, are derived. First‐order variables separable equations are formulated from the Malthusian population model and its extension to include crowding effects. Age structure effects are shown to lead to differential equations with a time lag and the dynamics of exploited fish populations are briefly examined. Two models of interacting species are examined, predictor‐prey and competing species, both of which lead to simultaneous coupled non‐linear differential equations but with solutions which have vastly differing characteristics.