Impact of NTFP Harvesting on Viability of Plant Population via Mathematical Modeling
Loading...
Mentor Information
Dr. Maria Leite
Description
Population growth has led to the exploitation of natural resources, such as the harvesting of non-timber forest products from plants. This study uses an ordinary differential equation to investigate the impact of non-lethal harvesting on recruitment rate, mortality rate, plant survivability, and shortterm dynamical evolution of the plant in two regions with distinct humidity profiles. Data from the Khaya senegalensis tree in Benin, Africa was used to parameterize proposed functions modeling recruitment rate and mortality rate as a function of harvesting. The model dynamics were investigated theoretically and numerically, which provided critical insights on the nature of plant population dynamics when subjected to non-lethal harvesting. In particular, the proposed framework permitted the derivation of a harvesting rate threshold, which informs what is the maximum harvesting rate that can be implemented in a region without driving the plant population to extinction. The understanding of how rates of harvesting affect plant populations obtained with this study can be used to make decisions to protect areas enduring excessive plant loss as necessary.
Impact of NTFP Harvesting on Viability of Plant Population via Mathematical Modeling
Population growth has led to the exploitation of natural resources, such as the harvesting of non-timber forest products from plants. This study uses an ordinary differential equation to investigate the impact of non-lethal harvesting on recruitment rate, mortality rate, plant survivability, and shortterm dynamical evolution of the plant in two regions with distinct humidity profiles. Data from the Khaya senegalensis tree in Benin, Africa was used to parameterize proposed functions modeling recruitment rate and mortality rate as a function of harvesting. The model dynamics were investigated theoretically and numerically, which provided critical insights on the nature of plant population dynamics when subjected to non-lethal harvesting. In particular, the proposed framework permitted the derivation of a harvesting rate threshold, which informs what is the maximum harvesting rate that can be implemented in a region without driving the plant population to extinction. The understanding of how rates of harvesting affect plant populations obtained with this study can be used to make decisions to protect areas enduring excessive plant loss as necessary.
