OOS 49

A Century of Structured Population Models in Ecology

The understanding of population dynamics requires a link from the individual (which lives, dies, grows, develops, moves, and reproduces) to the population, whose changes in “distribution and abundance” are the basis of ecological and eco-evolutionary dynamics. The properties of the individual that are relevant to population dynamics change as the individual moves through its life cycle. For a century, population biologists have developed and applied increasingly sophisticated mathematical tools for analyzing structured populations (i.e., populations in which individuals are differentiated by their place in the life cycle). This session includes talks on some of the major frameworks (matrix population models, physiologically structured models, integral projections) applied to population dynamics. Along with historical perspectives and presentation of new developments in theory and methodology, the session will feature applications to conservation, evolution, climate change, invasive species, and fisheries.