Linear analysis solves two puzzles in population dynamics : the route to extinction and extinction in coloured environments

• In this paper, we give simple explanations to two unsolved puzzles that have emerged in recent theoretical studies in population dynamics. First, the tendency of some model populations to go extinct from high population densities, and second, the positive effect of autocorrelated environments on extinction risks for some model populations. Both phenomena are given general explanations by simple, linear, stochastic models. We emphasize the predictive and explanatory power of such models.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Autocorrelation

Environmental stochasticity

Extinction risk

Linear models

Stochastic population dynamics

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)