Abstract

Since the 1980s the overall giraffe population has dropped at least 40% causing some researchers to label this rapid decline as the "Silent Extinction." Due to this plummet, understanding the behaviors of the giraffe population is absolutely necessary before they are on the brink of extinction. Through the usage of mathematical modeling methodologies, a general model is created to illustrate the relationship between juvenile and adult female giraffes through numerous interaction parameters. Variations on specific variables generate different simulations, which allows more biological accuracy. With each variation having an established coexistence equilibrium between the juvenile and adult female populations, the research changes the focus from the general model to a patch model. The patch model is an extension of the general model where population migration occurs between two regions. One patch will represent the general circumstances a giraffe may encounter with the other patch illustrating life on a protected wildlife reserve. Studying the impact of different characteristics an environment may have such as resources and predation gives insight on the effect of influential factors giraffes encounter daily. Through knowledge obtained from both mathematical models, researchers and conversationalists can gain insight on giraffe behaviors to help increase population size before they are extinct.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2022

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Nevai, A

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Mathematics

Degree Program

Mathematical Science

Identifier

CFE0009148; DP0026744

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0026744

Language

English

Release Date

August 2022

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

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