Conceptual Life-History Models for the Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)
Session Number
Project ID: BIO 03
Advisor(s)
Dr. Yuki Hamada; Argonne National Laboratory
Discipline
Biology
Start Date
19-4-2023 10:35 AM
End Date
19-4-2023 10:50 AM
Abstract
The desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) is a species of concern in the southwest region of the United States, and is noted as declining in recent years. Successful conservation requires an understanding of the species’ population dynamics. However, this collection of information is scattered throughout studies and models regarding the tortoise’s life history does not exist. Thus, I developed conceptual life history models of the desert tortoise shaped by the species’ life decisions based on age and sex. The population dynamics are determined from various factors of individuals including sex, size, and yearly climate. Adult male and female desert tortoises follow similar routines of winter hibernation and home ranges, though it diverges if a male is forced to leave its territory or if a female nests. The purpose of this conceptual life-history model is to develop an agent-based model (ABM), which simulates behavior and movements of the desert tortoise. It will help to understand the species responses to land development such as infrastructure construction and unexpected predators like the common crow, and to estimate population-level impacts of those changes. The desert tortoise ABM can be used to inform land development agencies about threats to desert tortoises to help conserve thei populations.
Conceptual Life-History Models for the Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)
The desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) is a species of concern in the southwest region of the United States, and is noted as declining in recent years. Successful conservation requires an understanding of the species’ population dynamics. However, this collection of information is scattered throughout studies and models regarding the tortoise’s life history does not exist. Thus, I developed conceptual life history models of the desert tortoise shaped by the species’ life decisions based on age and sex. The population dynamics are determined from various factors of individuals including sex, size, and yearly climate. Adult male and female desert tortoises follow similar routines of winter hibernation and home ranges, though it diverges if a male is forced to leave its territory or if a female nests. The purpose of this conceptual life-history model is to develop an agent-based model (ABM), which simulates behavior and movements of the desert tortoise. It will help to understand the species responses to land development such as infrastructure construction and unexpected predators like the common crow, and to estimate population-level impacts of those changes. The desert tortoise ABM can be used to inform land development agencies about threats to desert tortoises to help conserve thei populations.