Coyote and sheep predation

Team: 12

School: Artesia High

Area of Science: Ecology

Interim: Problem Definition

Coyote and sheep predation is both a complex and a simple problem. The complex part of the problem is the whole issue of dealing with only two creatures in the complex web of the local ecology. The simple part of the problem is adapting an existing program to coyote and sheep. This project is slightly more complex than wolf-sheep,from which it is derived, because it includes other agent types. The potential agent types are rabbits,bugs,birds, deer, antelope etc; that affect how the ecosystem works. This will be part of our programming and math that we do.

Progress to Date

We trained with Nick Bennett and to of are teammates attended the Kick off. We have conducted on population dynamics.

Problem Solution

This project has a mathematical approach(net-logo) to the model that has ecological parameters dealing with the relationship between predators(in this case, primarily coyotes) and prey(predominantly sheep for their economic value to humans, and rabbits as a primary natural prey). Net Logo (NL) was selected for three reasons: one, training is available; two, ease of learning; three cost. NL will also provide the modeling environment needed to find a solution to the problem.

Expected Results

What does a good model do? It can provide us information to what we need for a mathematical equation:like the weather and populations and food to prey species.

Team members: Quentin Jones, Dakota Mares, Miles Rather, Chris Cluff

Sponsoring Teacher: Randall Gaylor

Mentors:

Nick Bennett
Amy Mathis
Matt Conn

BIBLIOGRAPHY

www.hsus.org
http://wdfw.wa.gov
www.sheep101.info/sheepandlambs.html
www.3bunnies.org/prey_animals.htm

Team Members:

  dakota mares
  Miles Rather
  chris cluff
  Quentin Jones

Sponsoring Teacher: Randall Gaylor

Mail the entire Team