A Math Model of Overgrazing: Getting Beyond Counting Sheep by Ingrid Thyr '20

A Math Model of Overgrazing: Getting Beyond Counting Sheep by Ingrid Thyr ’20, Wednesday, November 13, Mathematics Colloquium, 1 – 1:45 pm, Stetson Court Classroom 110

Abstract:  Do you enjoy wearing wool sweaters? Is the lamb curry your favorite dinner served at Driscoll?  Well, before your wool sweater became a sweater and Driscoll prepped your favorite meal, some sheep somewhere had to eat some plants.  In some areas, such as the high deserts of Idaho or Patagonia, this has led to severe overgrazing, and ecologists have taken note.  In this talk, we will be exploring a proposed math model for managing grazing systems with a threshold management policy, which will include discussion of growth rates, equilibrium points, and sliding modes.