Optimal pest control through catastrophes

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (04) ◽  
pp. 873-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.G. Kyriakidis ◽  
Andris Abakuks

This paper is concerned with the problem of controlling a simple immigration–birth process, which represents a pest population, by the introduction of catastrophes which, when they occur, reduce the population size to zero. The optimality criterion is that of minimising the long-term average cost per unit time of the process. Firstly, an optimal policy is found within a restricted class of stationary policies, which introduce catastrophes if and only if the population size is greater than or equal to some critical value x. The optimality of this policy within the wider class of all stationary policies is then verified by applying the general results of Bather (1976).

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 873-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.G. Kyriakidis ◽  
Andris Abakuks

This paper is concerned with the problem of controlling a simple immigration–birth process, which represents a pest population, by the introduction of catastrophes which, when they occur, reduce the population size to zero. The optimality criterion is that of minimising the long-term average cost per unit time of the process. Firstly, an optimal policy is found within a restricted class of stationary policies, which introduce catastrophes if and only if the population size is greater than or equal to some critical value x. The optimality of this policy within the wider class of all stationary policies is then verified by applying the general results of Bather (1976).


1979 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andris Abakuks

A stochastic version of the logistic model for population growth is considered, and the general form of an optimal policy is found for hunting the population so as to maximise the long-term average number of captures per unit time. This optimal policy is described by a critical population size x∗such that it is optimal to hunt if and only if the population size is greater than or equal to x∗. Methods of determining x∗for given parameter values are provided, and some properties of the optimal policy as the population size tends to infinity are proved.


1979 ◽  
Vol 16 (02) ◽  
pp. 319-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andris Abakuks

A stochastic version of the logistic model for population growth is considered, and the general form of an optimal policy is found for hunting the population so as to maximise the long-term average number of captures per unit time. This optimal policy is described by a critical population size x∗such that it is optimal to hunt if and only if the population size is greater than or equal to x∗. Methods of determining x∗for given parameter values are provided, and some properties of the optimal policy as the population size tends to infinity are proved.


Author(s):  
L.V. Vetchinnikova ◽  
◽  
A.F. Titov ◽  
◽  

The article reports on the application of the best known principles for mapping natural populations of curly (Karelian) birch Betula pendula Roth var. carelica (Mercklin) Hämet-Ahti – one of the most appealing representatives of the forest tree flora. Relying on the synthesis and analysis of the published data amassed over nearly 100 years and the data from own full-scale studies done in the past few decades almost throughout the area where curly birch has grown naturally, it is concluded that its range outlined in the middle of the 20th century and since then hardly revised is outdated. The key factors and reasons necessitating its revision are specified. Herewith it is suggested that the range is delineated using the population approach, and the key element will be the critical population size below which the population is no longer viable in the long term. This approach implies that the boundaries of the taxon range depend on the boundaries of local populations (rather than the locations of individual trees or small clumps of trees), the size of which should not be lower than the critical value, which is supposed to be around 100–500 trees for curly birch. A schematic map of the curly birch range delineated using this approach is provided. We specially address the problem of determining the minimum population size to secure genetic diversity maintenance. The advantages of the population approach to delineating the distribution range of curly birch with regard to its biological features are highlighted. The authors argue that it enables a more accurate delineation of the range; shows the natural evolutionary history of the taxon (although it is not yet officially recognized as a species) and its range; can be relatively easily updated (e.g. depending on the scope of reintroduction); should be taken into account when working on the strategy of conservation and other actions designed to maintain and regenerate this unique representative of the forest tree flora.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yashuai Zhang ◽  
Fang Wang ◽  
Zhenxia Cui ◽  
Min Li ◽  
Xia Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background One of the most challenging tasks in wildlife conservation and management is clarifying which and how external and intrinsic factors influence wildlife demography and long-term viability. The wild population of the Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) has recovered to approximately 4400, and several reintroduction programs have been carried out in China, Japan and Korea. Population viability analysis on this endangered species has been limited to the wild population, showing that the long-term population growth is restricted by the carrying capacity and inbreeding. However, gaps in knowledge of the viability of the reintroduced population and its drivers in the release environment impede the identification of the most effective population-level priorities for aiding in species recovery. Methods The field monitoring data were collected from a reintroduced Crested Ibis population in Ningshan, China from 2007 to 2018. An individual-based VORTEX model (Version 10.3.5.0) was used to predict the future viability of the reintroduced population by incorporating adaptive patterns of ibis movement in relation to catastrophe frequency, mortality and sex ratio. Results The reintroduced population in Ningshan County is unlikely to go extinct in the next 50 years. The population size was estimated to be 367, and the population genetic diversity was estimated to be 0.97. Sensitivity analysis showed that population size and extinction probability were dependent on the carrying capacity and sex ratio. The carrying capacity is the main factor accounting for the population size and genetic diversity, while the sex ratio is the primary factor responsible for the population growth trend. Conclusions A viable population of the Crested Ibis can be established according to population viability analysis. Based on our results, conservation management should prioritize a balanced sex ratio, high-quality habitat and low mortality.


Author(s):  
Madoka Muroishi ◽  
Akira Yakita

AbstractUsing a small, open, two-region economy model populated by two-period-lived overlapping generations, we analyze long-term agglomeration economy and congestion diseconomy effects of young worker concentration on migration and the overall fertility rate. When the migration-stability condition is satisfied, the distribution of young workers between regions is obtainable in each period for a predetermined population size. Results show that migration stability does not guarantee dynamic stability of the economy. The stationary population size stability depends on the model parameters and the initial population size. On a stable trajectory converging to the stationary equilibrium, the overall fertility rate might change non-monotonically with the population size of the economy because of interregional migration. In each period, interregional migration mitigates regional population changes caused by fertility differences on the stable path. Results show that the inter-regional migration-stability condition does not guarantee stability of the population dynamics of the economy.


Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Xiao-wei Li ◽  
Xin-xin Lu ◽  
Zhi-jun Zhang ◽  
Jun Huang ◽  
Jin-ming Zhang ◽  
...  

Intercropping of aromatic plants provides an environmentally benign route to reducing pest damage in agroecosystems. However, the effect of intercropping on natural enemies, another element which may be vital to the success of an integrated pest management approach, varies in different intercropping systems. Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae), has been reported to be repellent to many insect species. In this study, the impact of sweet pepper/rosemary intercropping on pest population suppression was evaluated under greenhouse conditions and the effect of rosemary intercropping on natural enemy population dynamics was investigated. The results showed that intercropping rosemary with sweet pepper significantly reduced the population densities of three major pest species on sweet pepper, Frankliniella intonsa, Myzus persicae, and Bemisia tabaci, but did not affect the population densities of their natural enemies, the predatory bug, Orius sauteri, or parasitoid, Encarsia formosa. Significant pest population suppression with no adverse effect on released natural enemy populations in the sweet pepper/rosemary intercropping system suggests this could be an approach for integrated pest management of greenhouse-cultivated sweet pepper. Our results highlight the potential of the integration of alternative pest control strategies to optimize sustainable pest control.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Epaminondas G. Kyriakidis

We introduce a Markov decision process in continuous time for the optimal control of a simple symmetrical immigration-emigration process by the introduction of total catastrophes. It is proved that a particular control-limit policy is average cost optimal within the class of all stationary policies by verifying that the relative values of this policy are the solution of the corresponding optimality equation.


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