title: On second order sensitivity for stage-based population projection matrix models.
abstract: In this paper we present a simple method for identifying life-history perturbations in population projection matrices that yield an accelerating population growth rate. Accelerating growth means that the dependence of the growth rate on the perturbation is convex. Convexity, when the second sensitivity of the growth rate is positive, is calculated using a new formula derived from the transfer function of the perturbed system. This formula is used to explore the relationship between stasis and growth probabilities from stage-structured population projection matrices.
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QE, UK. D.Mc-Carthy@ex.ac.uk
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Townley
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hodgson
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011157:Population Dynamics