We will study in this talk an infinite-dimensional dynamical system proposed by Yoccoz and Birkeland for modeling the population dynamics of some small rodents. First, it is shown that an attractor exists in a large domain of the parameter space. Then, a simulation experiment describes possible behaviours of the dynamical system, in particular Henon-type strange attractors, but also a seemingly new kind of attractor. The complexity and the causes of the latest attractor are studied from both geometrical and dynamical points of view. This study shows that chaotic dynamics can occur in population dynamics with a constant environment (that is, with the same seasonal variations each year), because of the combination of strong density-dependence of the growth rate with a latency effect.
Seminar: Study of the Yoccoz-Birkeland population model
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 - 15:00
Sylvain Arlot ( CNRS, Willow Project-Team)