Sensitivity Analysis of Parameters in a Competition Model

Abstract

Competition models may be used by ecologists as basic guidelines in analyzing issues that contribute to the decline of species population. To be used for that purpose, a mathematical model must be prudently parameterized. Therefore, this paper examines the effects of interference competition by lions with human–related mortality to the population dynamics of African wild dogs. The model was carefully parameterized and validated with estimated data by employing the theory of basic reproduction number and by running the sensitivity analysis. Numerical simulation of the model was executed by using MATLAB to explore the outcome of certain key parameters when changes are applied on them.