Speaker: Professor Tom Andersen,
Department of Biology,
University of Oslo,
Norway

Title: The stoichiometry of autotroph-herbivore systems - a gentle introduction

Abstract: Starting from the original Lotka-Volterra model, biological realism will be introduced step by step until we reach at stoichiometrically explicit autotroph-herbivore model that is consistent with the principles of mass conservation and with basic animal physiology. Consequences for qualitative dynamics at each step will be illustrated by phase plane diagrams and nullcline analysis. Finally, we will consider some open issues arising for our current lack of knowledge about the strategies and options herbivores have for disposing excessive materials and conserving limiting ones.