Density-structured models for plant population dynamics.
Density-structured models are structured population models in which the state variable is the proportion of populations or sites in a small number of discrete density states. Although such models have rarely been used, they have the advantage that they are straightforward to parameterize, make few assumptions about population dynamics, and permit rapid data collection using coarse density assessment. In this article, we highlight their use in relating population dynamics to environmental variation and their robustness to measurement error. We show that density-structured models are able to accurately represent population dynamics under a wide range of conditions. We look at the effects of including a persistent seedbank and describe numerical approximations for the mean and variance of population size. For simulated data, we determine the extent to which the underlying continuous process may be inferred from density-structured data. Finally, we discuss issues of parameter estimation and applications for which these types of models may be useful.
Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, United Kingdom. r.freckleton@sheffield.ac.uk
Robert P
RP
Freckleton
William J
WJ
Sutherland
Andrew R
AR
Watkinson
Simon A
SA
Queenborough
D004777:Environment; D008954:Models, Biological; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D011156:Population Density; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012639:Seeds