|
Abstract:
|
It is often dif icult for ecologists to apply experimental methods to answer their questions and to predict the consequences of population growth or variations in time and space. Mathematical modeling, which is based upon biologically reasonable assumptions, provides an alternative approach to some of these problems. Modeling allows ecologists to study how variables interact and to make predictions about what would happen if some of the variables changed. Moreover, models generated from first principles can be tested against observations in experimental systems; thus, tests for the hypothesis are possible. |