A difference equation model of a single climax
species with two age classes (juvenile and adult) is
studied. In a single species climax population model
with no age structure, high population densities
lead to extinction. Studies of discrete-time models
of climax species with age structure is developing
in the literature. In this monograph, it is shown
that age structure makes it possible for a density
that has extinction as its ultimate life history to
have persistence as its ultimate fate with juvenile-
adult competition. This suggests that juvenile-adult
competition may be critical to species survival.
Finally, the results of the analysis are also
applied to popluation data of the purse-seine
anchovy fish, Engraluis capensis, that is located
off the West Cape coast of South Africa. While the
phenonmena of intraspecific competition and age
structure are not newly observed phenonmena, the
study of this phenomena in climax models is
developing.
species with two age classes (juvenile and adult) is
studied. In a single species climax population model
with no age structure, high population densities
lead to extinction. Studies of discrete-time models
of climax species with age structure is developing
in the literature. In this monograph, it is shown
that age structure makes it possible for a density
that has extinction as its ultimate life history to
have persistence as its ultimate fate with juvenile-
adult competition. This suggests that juvenile-adult
competition may be critical to species survival.
Finally, the results of the analysis are also
applied to popluation data of the purse-seine
anchovy fish, Engraluis capensis, that is located
off the West Cape coast of South Africa. While the
phenonmena of intraspecific competition and age
structure are not newly observed phenonmena, the
study of this phenomena in climax models is
developing.