The Nicholson–Bailey model was developed in the 1930s to describe the
population dynamics of a coupled host-
parasitoid system. It is named after
Alexander John Nicholson and
Victor Albert Bailey. Host-parasite and
prey-predator systems can also be represented with the Nicholson-Bailey model. The model is closely related to the
Lotka–Volterra model, which describes the dynamics of antagonistic populations (preys and predators) using
differential equation
In mathematics, a differential equation is an equation that relates one or more unknown functions and their derivatives. In applications, the functions generally represent physical quantities, the derivatives represent their rates of change, an ...
s.
The model uses (discrete time)
difference equations to describe the
population growth of host-parasite populations. The model assumes that parasitoids search for hosts at random, and that both parasitoids and hosts are assumed to be distributed in a non-contiguous ("clumped") fashion in the environment. In its original form, the model does not allow for stable coexistence. Subsequent refinements of the model, notably adding density dependence on several terms, allowed this coexistence to happen.
Equations
Derivation
The model is defined in discrete time. It is usually expressed as
with ''H'' the population size of the host, ''P'' the population size of the parasitoid, ''k'' the reproductive rate of the host, ''a'' the searching efficiency of the parasitoid, and ''c'' the average number of viable eggs that a parasitoid lays on a single host.
This model can be explained based on probability.
is the probability that the host will survive
predators; whereas
is that they will not, bearing in mind the parasitoid eventually will hatch into larva and escape.
Analysis of the Nicholson–Bailey model
When
,
is the unique non-negative fixed point and all non-negative solutions converge to
. When
, all non-negative solutions lie on level curves of the function
and converge to a fixed point on the
-axis.
When
, this system admits one unstable positive fixed point, at
It has been proven
that all positive solutions whose initial conditions are not equal to
are unbounded and exhibit oscillations with infinitely increasing amplitude.
Variations
Density dependence can be added to the model, by assuming that the growth rate of the host decreases at high abundances. The equation for the parasitoid is unchanged, and the equation for the host is modified:
The host rate of increase ''k'' is replaced by ''r'', which becomes negative when the host population density reaches ''K''.
See also
*
Lotka–Volterra inter-specific competition equations
*
Population dynamics
Notes
* Parasitoids encompass insects that place their ova inside the eggs or larva of other creatures (generally other insects as well).
References
Further reading
*
External links
Nicholson–Bailey modelNicholson-Bailey model with density dependenceNicholson-Bailey spatial model
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nicholson-Bailey model
Predation
Population models
Mathematical and theoretical biology