This model simulates the plant interspecific competition and herbivory. This model simulates plant interspecific competition and herbivory. Students may observe two herbivory relationships and an interspecific competition relationship between two plant species.
Grades: 6-8;
There are four types of agents: plant1s, plant2s, rabbits, and mice.
There are 168 patches (light blue squares) in the model. The nutrients in each patch may support and only support either a plant1 or a plant2.
Rabbits only feed on plant1s; mice only feed on plant2s.
Rabbits and mice lose energy when they move around to search for food. They die when running out of energy.
Rabbits and mice gain energy when they find food and will produce offspring rabbit/mouse when they accumulate enough energy.
Each unconsumed plants produce a certain number of seeds every year, determined by the slides “plant1-seeds” and “plant2-seeds”.
The seeds fall into the empty patches nearby and grow into new plants next year.
THINGS TO TRY
What population patterns emerge when both rabbits and plant1s are present in the model?
What population patterns emerge when both mice and plant2s are present in the model?
What population patterns emerge when both plant1s and plant2s are present in the model?
How does the number of seeds affect the plant interactions?
What population patterns indicate a herbivory interaction? Why?
What population patterns indicate a competition interaction? Why?
Dr. Lin Xiang (lin.xiang@uky.edu) created this module at the University of Kentucky in 2022. If you mention this model in a publication, we ask that you include the citations below.
Xiang, L. (2022). Herbivory and Plant Interspecific Competition. Department of STEM Education, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
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