Optimizing reproduction in a randomly varying environment

Abstract

A model is constructed of optimizing long-term growth rate in a randomly varying environment. Specifically, the model is of an annual plant, the seeds of which can either germinate and yield more seeds in numbers which depend on environmental conditions, or remain dormant in the soil and undergo some decay according to their viability. The optimal germination fraction is derived for any combination of probabilities of the yield of seeds per germinating seed, and of various values of the viability of the seeds. The relevance of the model is discussed. © 1966.