Mathematically modeling how trapping specific crayfish life stages impacts removal efficacy
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Type
Submission
Keywords
Mathematics, Biology
Department
Mathematics
Major
Mathematics
Abstract
The red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, is an invasive species introduced into several streams within the Santa Monica Mountains (SMM) in California. Crayfish predation decimates native aquatic species. The Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT) has worked to remove crayfish through regular trapping in Malibu Creek.
To aid conservation efforts, Dev Patel developed a mathematical model of crayfish removal efficacy. His discrete model of the crayfish life cycle newly accounted for cannibalism but was not yet parameterized to stream data. We expand Patel’s model to better predict the efficacy of crayfish removal efforts in the SMM. We separate crayfish based upon life stage and total length: eggs, two monthly juvenile stages, small non-reproductive adults, medium adults, and large adults.
We construct and parameterize this preliminary predictive model of crayfish population levels with and without trapping. We use literature and crayfish removal data from MRT to fit the model to two sections of Malibu Creek. We numerically simulate how the crayfish population changes over time and find that the model dynamics are highly sensitive to intraspecies cannibalism. We determine the best crayfish life stages to trap to most efficiently decrease crayfish population size.
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Courtney Davis
Funding Source or Research Program
Academic Year Undergraduate Research Initiative, Summer Undergraduate Research in Biology, Not Identified
Location
Waves Cafeteria
Start Date
11-4-2025 1:00 PM
End Date
11-4-2025 2:00 PM
Mathematically modeling how trapping specific crayfish life stages impacts removal efficacy
Waves Cafeteria
The red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, is an invasive species introduced into several streams within the Santa Monica Mountains (SMM) in California. Crayfish predation decimates native aquatic species. The Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT) has worked to remove crayfish through regular trapping in Malibu Creek.
To aid conservation efforts, Dev Patel developed a mathematical model of crayfish removal efficacy. His discrete model of the crayfish life cycle newly accounted for cannibalism but was not yet parameterized to stream data. We expand Patel’s model to better predict the efficacy of crayfish removal efforts in the SMM. We separate crayfish based upon life stage and total length: eggs, two monthly juvenile stages, small non-reproductive adults, medium adults, and large adults.
We construct and parameterize this preliminary predictive model of crayfish population levels with and without trapping. We use literature and crayfish removal data from MRT to fit the model to two sections of Malibu Creek. We numerically simulate how the crayfish population changes over time and find that the model dynamics are highly sensitive to intraspecies cannibalism. We determine the best crayfish life stages to trap to most efficiently decrease crayfish population size.
