Matrix population models

Matrix population models are a specific type of population model that uses matrix algebra. Population models are used in population ecology to model the dynamics of wildlife or human populations. Matrix algebra, in turn, is simply a form of algebraic shorthand for summarizing a larger number of often repetitious and tedious algebraic computations.

All populations can be modeled

${\displaystyle N_{t+1}=N_{t}+B-D+I-E,}$

where:

• N_t+1 = abundance at time t+1
• N_t = abundance at time t
• B = number of births within the population between N_t and N_t+1
• D = number of deaths within the population between N_t and N_t+1
• I = number of individuals immigrating into the population between N_t and N_t+1
• E = number of individuals emigrating from the population between N_t and N_t+1

This equation is called a BIDE model (Birth, Immigration, Death, Emigration model).

Although BIDE models are conceptually simple, reliable estimates of the 5 variables contained therein (N, B, D, I and E) are often difficult to obtain. Usually a researcher attempts to estimate current abundance, N_t, often using some form of mark and recapture technique. Estimates of B might be obtained via a ratio of immatures to adults soon after the breeding season, R_i. Number of deaths can be obtained by estimating annual survival probability, usually via mark and recapture methods, then multiplying present abundance and survival rate. Often, immigration and emigration are ignored because they are so difficult to estimate.

For added simplicity it may help to think of time t as the end of the breeding season in year t and to imagine that one is studying a species that has only one discrete breeding season per year.

The BIDE model can then be expressed as:

${\displaystyle N_{t+1}=N_{t,a}\times S_{a}+N_{t,i}\times R_{i}\times S_{i}}$

where:

• N_t,a = number of adult females at time t
• N_t,i = number of immature females at time t
• S_a = annual survival of adult females from time t to time t+1
• S_i = annual survival of immature females from time t to time t+1
• R_i = ratio of surviving young females at the end of the breeding season per breeding female

In matrix notation this model can be expressed as:

${\displaystyle {\begin{aligned}{\begin{pmatrix}N_{t+l_{i}}\\N_{t+l_{a}}\end{pmatrix}}&={\begin{pmatrix}S_{i}R_{i}&S_{a}R_{i}\\S_{i}&S_{a}\end{pmatrix}}{\begin{pmatrix}N_{t_{i}}\\N_{t_{a}}\end{pmatrix}}\end{aligned}}.}$

Suppose that you are studying a species with a maximum lifespan of 4 years. The following is an age-based Leslie matrix for this species. Each row in the first and third matrices corresponds to animals within a given age range (0–1 years, 1–2 years and 2–3 years). In a Leslie matrix the top row of the middle matrix consists of age-specific fertilities: F₁, F₂ and F₃. Note, that F₁ = S_i×R_i in the matrix above. Since this species does not live to be 4 years old the matrix does not contain an S₃ term.

${\displaystyle {\begin{aligned}{\begin{pmatrix}N_{t+l_{1}}\\N_{t+l_{2}}\\N_{t+l_{3}}\end{pmatrix}}&={\begin{pmatrix}F_{1}&F_{2}&F_{3}\\S_{1}&0&0\\0&S_{2}&0\end{pmatrix}}{\begin{pmatrix}N_{t_{1}}\\N_{t_{2}}\\N_{t_{3}}\end{pmatrix}}\end{aligned}}.}$

These models can give rise to interesting cyclical or seemingly chaotic patterns in abundance over time when fertility rates are high.

The terms F_i and S_i can be constants or they can be functions of environment, such as habitat or population size. Randomness can also be incorporated into the environmental component.