PADRÕES ECOLÓGICOS E TAMANHOS POPULACIONAIS CRÍTICOS: SENSORES IMPORTANTES EM MODELAGEM E CONTROLE

Abstract

Biological populations are characterized by time series, which receive influence from the environment. Thus, the time trajectories exhibit particularities that result many times in ecological patterns expressed by oscillations dependent on the parameter values involved in population growth. Usually more attention is given only to oscillation patterns observed in populations because they can reflect instabilities capable of driving species to local extinction. Despite the attention given to ecological patterns with respect to population stability, other aspects are also important. Particularly, trajectories and population sizes previous to outbreaks or crashes are important elements with respect to trend analysis in time. In this study I stress the importance of these factors as population probes for pest control and conservation programs. The simulations and time interventions are analyzed with emphasis in pest population monitoring or species important with respect to conservation.