Logistic and Lotka-Volterra based dynamic ecological modeling of Sea lamprey.

Abstract

The parasitic sea lamprey contributed to the devastating collapse of native fish communities after invading the Great Lakes during the 1800s and early 1900s. Addressing this threat requires studying the environmental impacts of changes in sea lamprey populations. Sea lampreys become male or female depending on how quickly they grow during the larval stage, Sex affects the population status of Sea lampreys. Population status affects the environment. This paper introduces a comprehensive model, incorporating a resource consumption rate alongside Logistic growth and Lotka-Volterra competition frameworks, to elucidate the complex dynamics between Sea lampreys, their environment, and other species. Through this model, dubbed the Sea Lamprey Ecological Model, we deduce a significant increase in the male-to-female ratio under constrained environmental resources. Further analysis, integrating a sex ratio variable and human intervention factor into the Sea Lamprey Ecological Model, reveals a decrease in sex-quantity disparity, diminished competitive edge for counterparts, and heightened survival pressures for prey species. The paper culminates in a critical evaluation of the model's efficacy and areas for further research, highlighting its potential to inform sustainable management practices for mitigating the adverse biodiversity impacts of Sea lamprey invasion in the Great Lakes.