QEIB: A Theoretical Framework for Density-Dependent Life-History Evolution in Variable Environments

定义生物体生命史的参数，例如，生命不同阶段的存活率、出生率、发芽率和扩散率，随着物理环境（如天气）的变化而变化，也随着不同种类生物体密度所定义的生物环境而变化。考虑到不同环境和生物密度的相互作用，将会发展出一个关于生命史进化的一般数学理论。数学模型将利用概率论、动力系统理论和计算机模拟进行开发和研究。特别强调一年生植物的发芽、生长、生存和多年生生物的繁殖关系，以及多年生植物生长的季节变化。一个有机体的生命史是它与环境的关系的基础，因此，生命史是预测当人类干预或自然原因导致条件改变时有机体会发生什么变化的基础。这门学科的复杂性意味着有效的研究需要一个理论框架来产生假设，然后才能进行实证检验。虽然以前已经发展了不同的物理环境和生物密度的影响的理论，但对它们之间的相互作用的关注非常有限。这项研究的结果应该广泛适用于野生生物（动植物、害虫、杂草和渔业），也适用于作物和家畜。

The parameters defining the life history of an organism, for example,survival rates at different stages in life, birth rates, germinationrates and dispersal rates, vary with the physical environment, such asweather, and also with the biological environment defined by thedensities of organisms of different sorts. A general mathematicaltheory of life-history evolution will be developed that takes intoaccount the interacting effects of a varying environment and organismdensities. Mathematical models will be developed and investigated usingprobability theory, dynamical systems theory, and computer simulation.Particular emphasis will be placed on annual plant germination, growth,survival and reproductive relations in perennial organisms, and seasonalvariation in growth of perennial plants.The life history of an organism is fundamental to the way it relates toits environment, and therefore the life history is fundamental topredicting what will happen to the organism as conditions change eitherthrough human intervention or natural causes. The complexity of thesubject means that effective study requires a theoretical framework togenerate hypotheses, which can then be tested empirically. Althoughseparate theories for the effects of a varying physical environment andorganism densities have been developed previously, there has been verylimited attention to their interaction. The results of the study shouldhave wide applicability to wild organisms (flora and fauna, pests, weedsand fisheries), with some applications also to crops and domesticanimals.