Award details

Develop biomathematical methods to measure spatial pattern and non-linear spatio-temporal dynamics of long-term insect and plant data

Reference	BBS/E/C/00041567
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Joe Perry
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	30,573
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1997
End date	31/03/1999
Duration	24 months

Abstract

To develop methods to estimate and measure spatial pattern for insect, nematode, plant and disease data in the form of maps or counts at specified spatial locations. To quantify patchiness, aggregation, heterogeneity, as distinct from unformity, regularity and homogeneity. To develop indices and tests that ensure that all the spatial information in the sample is used. To improve and extend the SADIE system (Spatial Analysis by Distance IndicEs), based on distance to regularity and distance to crowding. To extend the above concepts to measure spatial association between two or more populations, again using all the spatial information in the sample. To develop algorithms to simulate spatial patterns with specified properties. To distribute SADIE software to interested parties. To use these techniques to aid the development of highly efficient sampling schemes. To develop stochastic models of biological populations, that give rise to observed patterns and to integrate them into spatio- temporal population dynamic models. To develop methods to enable the robust estimation of Lyapunov exponents and other measures of predictability for short noisy ecological time series, particularly those that use the combination of replicate series from different sites, years or species. To study ways of using spatial information in such studies, particularly for long runs of moth and aphid data. To develop stochastic spatio-temporal metapopulation models to underpin these and other studies requiring population dynamic input within the Department of Entomology and Nematology. To investigate the possibilities for incorporating stochastic movement and dispersal, particularly for pests and natural enemies, into such models. a)Develop methodology for the derivation of indices and tests for association between two populations. b)Development of Fortran software to implement methods in a). c)Analysis of Farmland Ecology experiment data using methods and software in a) and b). d)Analysis of host-parasitoid oil seed rape Furzefield data using methods and software in a) and b). e)Development and testing of Ka, an index of aggregation that conditions on observed population positions relative to sample units, to overcome difficulties of edge effects noted for existing index Ia. f)Hold workshop on chaos, publicize results of comparative analyses for estimation of Lyapunov experiments. g)Begin analyses to develop efficient sampling schemes for aphids on Brussel sprouts. To seek ways of disseminating the SADIE programs in a user-friendly format. To write up and publicize the new red-blue plots, that allow the degree to which each sample unit contributes towards aggregation to be quantified.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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