Theoretical ecology

Theoretical ecology uses mathematical models and general principles to explain ecological patterns and predict how populations, communities, and ecosystems change.

Lotka–Volterra equations: A pair of differential equations modeling interactions such as predator–prey dynamics or competition between two populations. Their simple interaction terms show how theoretical ecology turns species relationships into testable dynamics.
Differential equation: An equation relating a function to one or more of its derivatives. Many ecological models express rates of population or resource change with differential equations.
Conservation biology: The science of protecting biodiversity, species, and ecosystems. Population and community models help assess extinction risk and compare conservation strategies.
Empirical ecology: The study of ecological systems through observations, experiments, and measurements. Empirical work measures patterns that theoretical models seek to explain or predict.
Alfred J. Lotka: An American mathematical biophysicist whose work helped establish mathematical population biology. Lotka developed equations that became foundational models of predator–prey interactions.
Population dynamics: The study of how population sizes change over time and across space. Population models provide the basic dynamics from which many ecological theories are built.
Exponential growth: Growth in which a quantity increases at a rate proportional to its current size. It provides a baseline population model before density dependence is added.
Fisheries management: The regulation of fishing to sustain fish populations and the communities and economies that depend on them. Harvest models estimate sustainable catches and reveal risks of population collapse.
Field experiment: An experiment that manipulates conditions in a natural or working environment. Field experiments test ecological mechanisms under conditions models simplify.
Vito Volterra: An Italian mathematician who formulated population equations for predator–prey interactions. Volterra’s work independently established a landmark mathematical treatment of ecological interaction.

Linked from 1 page