NetLogo Models Library:
Sample Models/Biology/Unverified

Note: This model is unverified. It has not yet been tested and polished as thoroughly as our other models.

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Wolf Sheep Stride Inheritance

Run Wolf Sheep Stride Inheritance in your browser
uses NetLogo 4.0.2
requires Java 1.4.1+
(system requirements)

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WHAT IS IT?

This model is a variation on the predator-prey ecosystems model wolf-sheep predation.
In this model, predator and prey can inherit a stride length, which describes how far forward they move in each model time step. When wolves and sheep reproduce, the children inherit the parent's stride length -- though it may be mutated.

HOW IT WORKS

At initialization wolves have a stride of INITIAL-WOLF-STRIDE and sheep have a stride of INITIAL-SHEEP-STRIDE. Wolves and sheep wander around the world moving STRIDE-LENGTH in a random direction at each step. Sheep eat grass and wolves eat sheep, as in the Wolf Sheep Predation model. When wolves and sheep reproduce, they pass their stride length down to their young. However, there is a chance that the stride length will mutate, becoming slightly larger or smaller than that of its parent.

HOW TO USE IT

INITIAL-NUMBER-SHEEP: The initial size of sheep population
INITIAL-NUMBER-WOLVES: The initial size of wolf population

Half a unit of energy is deducted from each wolf and sheep at every time step. If STRIDE-LENGTH-PENALTY? is on, additional energy is deducted, scaled to the length of stride the animal takes (e.g., 0.5 stride deducts an additional 0.5 energy units each step).

WOLF-STRIDE-DRIFT and SHEEP-STRIDE-DRIFT: How much variation an offspring of a wolf or a sheep can have in its stride length compared to its parent. For example, if set to 0.4, then an offspring might have a stride length up to 0.4 less than the parent or 0.4 more than the parent.

THINGS TO NOTICE

WOLF STRIDE HISTOGRAM and SHEEP STRIDE HISTOGRAM will show how the population distribution of different animal strides is changing.

In general, sheep get faster over time and wolves get slower or move at the same speed. Sheep get faster in part, because remaining on a square with no grass is less advantageous than moving to new locations to consume grass that is not eaten. Sheep typically converge on an average stride length close to 1. Why do you suppose it is not advantageous for sheep stride length to keep increasing far beyond 1?

If you turn STRIDE-LENGTH-PENALTY? off, sheep will become faster over time, but will not stay close to a stride length of 1. Instead they will become faster and faster, effectively jumping over multiple patches with each simulation step.

THINGS TO TRY

Try adjusting the parameters under various settings. How sensitive is the stability of the model to the particular parameters?

Can you find any parameters that generate a stable ecosystem where there are at least two distinct groups of sheep or wolves with different average stride lengths?

EXTENDING THE MODEL

Add a cone of vision for sheep and wolves that allows them to chase or run away from each other. Make this an inheritable trait.

NETLOGO FEATURES

This model uses two breeds of turtle to represent wolves and sheep.

RELATED MODELS

Wolf Sheep Predation
Bug Hunt Speeds

CREDITS AND REFERENCES

To refer to this model in academic publications, please use: Novak, M. and Wilensky, U. (2006). NetLogo Wolf Sheep Stride Inheritance model. http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/models/WolfSheepStrideInheritance. Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.

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NetLogo Models Library:Sample Models/Biology/Unverified

Wolf Sheep Stride Inheritance

NetLogo Models Library:
Sample Models/Biology/Unverified