Modeling and analysis of ecosystem dynamics based on the Lotka-Volterra model

Abstract

In this paper, the ecological dynamics of sea lamprey populations were explored using the Lotka-Volterra model. Its ecosystem dynamics were also modeled. The analysis showed that changes in the sex ratio of sea lampreys can lead to a decrease in the abundance of other species within a certain range. Thus, changes in sex ratio affect the abundance of other species in the larger ecosystem. In addition, the study assessed the strengths and weaknesses associated with sea lamprey populations through iterative modeling. Six advantages (growth rate, environmental adaptation, importance in the food chain, ecosystem contribution, predation control, and reproductive efficiency) and four disadvantages (environmental stress, risk of overfishing, threats to reproduction, and threats to predation) were assessed in terms of population stability, reproductive fitness, and ecological impact. The results showed that when sex ratios were equal, the greatest advantage was predation control and the greatest disadvantage was overfishing risk. When males were dominant, the greatest advantage was adaptability, while the greatest disadvantage was predation threat.