Applied and Computational Mathematics

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Optimal Control of a Threatened Wildebeest-lion Prey-predator System Incorporating a Constant Prey Refuge in the Serengeti Ecosystem

Received: 29 June 2015    Accepted: 9 July 2015    Published: 17 July 2015
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Abstract

In this paper a two species prey-predator model is developed in which prey is wildebeest and predator is lion and both are threatened by poaching, drought and diseases.The system is found in the Serengeti ecosystem.The model is constructed based on Holling type II functional response incorporating a constant prey refuge. We apply optimal control theory to investigate optimal strategies for controlling the threats in the system where anti-poaching patrols are used for controlling poaching, construction of dams for mitigating drought and vaccination for diseases control. The possible impact of using combinations of three controls either one at a time or two at a time on the threatened system plus a refuge factor is examined. All control strategies have shown significant increase in prey and predator populations . However, the best result is achieved by controlling all threats together. The effect of variation of prey refuge to the control of threats is studied and results indicate that increase of causes more prey individuals to be saved and reduces the number of predator individuals saved. This behaviour agrees with theoretical results obtained in co-existence equilibrium point.

DOI 10.11648/j.acm.20150404.18
Published in Applied and Computational Mathematics (Volume 4, Issue 4, August 2015)
Page(s) 296-312
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Optimal Control, Prey-predator System, Prey Refuge, Threat, Gregariousness

References
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[5] Fleming, W.H., and Rishel, R.W.( 1975). Deterministic and stochastic optimal control, 268, Springer-Verlag New York.
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[7] GEAS. (2013) Saving the Great migrations: Declining Wildebeest in East Africa? [Online article]:cited on 28th September 2014, http://na.unep.net/geas/getUNEPPageWithArticleIDScript.php?article_id=107
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    Thadei Damas Sagamiko, Nyimvua Shaban, Cuthbert Leonard Nahonyo, Oluwole Daniel Makinde. (2015). Optimal Control of a Threatened Wildebeest-lion Prey-predator System Incorporating a Constant Prey Refuge in the Serengeti Ecosystem. Applied and Computational Mathematics, 4(4), 296-312. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.acm.20150404.18

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    Thadei Damas Sagamiko; Nyimvua Shaban; Cuthbert Leonard Nahonyo; Oluwole Daniel Makinde. Optimal Control of a Threatened Wildebeest-lion Prey-predator System Incorporating a Constant Prey Refuge in the Serengeti Ecosystem. Appl. Comput. Math. 2015, 4(4), 296-312. doi: 10.11648/j.acm.20150404.18

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    AMA Style

    Thadei Damas Sagamiko, Nyimvua Shaban, Cuthbert Leonard Nahonyo, Oluwole Daniel Makinde. Optimal Control of a Threatened Wildebeest-lion Prey-predator System Incorporating a Constant Prey Refuge in the Serengeti Ecosystem. Appl Comput Math. 2015;4(4):296-312. doi: 10.11648/j.acm.20150404.18

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  • @article{10.11648/j.acm.20150404.18,
      author = {Thadei Damas Sagamiko and Nyimvua Shaban and Cuthbert Leonard Nahonyo and Oluwole Daniel Makinde},
      title = {Optimal Control of a Threatened Wildebeest-lion Prey-predator System Incorporating a Constant Prey Refuge in the Serengeti Ecosystem},
      journal = {Applied and Computational Mathematics},
      volume = {4},
      number = {4},
      pages = {296-312},
      doi = {10.11648/j.acm.20150404.18},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.acm.20150404.18},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.acm.20150404.18},
      abstract = {In this paper a two species prey-predator model is developed in which prey is wildebeest and predator is lion and both are threatened by poaching, drought and diseases.The system is found in the Serengeti ecosystem.The model is constructed based on Holling type II functional response incorporating a constant prey refuge. We apply optimal control theory to investigate optimal strategies for controlling the threats in the system where anti-poaching patrols are used for controlling poaching, construction of dams for mitigating drought and vaccination for diseases control. The possible impact of using combinations of three controls either one at a time or two at a time on the threatened system plus a refuge factor is examined. All control strategies have shown significant increase in prey and predator populations . However, the best result is achieved by controlling all threats together. The effect of variation of prey refuge   to the control of threats is studied and results indicate that increase of  causes more prey individuals to be saved and reduces the number of predator individuals saved. This behaviour agrees with theoretical results obtained in co-existence equilibrium point.},
     year = {2015}
    }
    

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    T1  - Optimal Control of a Threatened Wildebeest-lion Prey-predator System Incorporating a Constant Prey Refuge in the Serengeti Ecosystem
    AU  - Thadei Damas Sagamiko
    AU  - Nyimvua Shaban
    AU  - Cuthbert Leonard Nahonyo
    AU  - Oluwole Daniel Makinde
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.acm.20150404.18
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    EP  - 312
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-5613
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.acm.20150404.18
    AB  - In this paper a two species prey-predator model is developed in which prey is wildebeest and predator is lion and both are threatened by poaching, drought and diseases.The system is found in the Serengeti ecosystem.The model is constructed based on Holling type II functional response incorporating a constant prey refuge. We apply optimal control theory to investigate optimal strategies for controlling the threats in the system where anti-poaching patrols are used for controlling poaching, construction of dams for mitigating drought and vaccination for diseases control. The possible impact of using combinations of three controls either one at a time or two at a time on the threatened system plus a refuge factor is examined. All control strategies have shown significant increase in prey and predator populations . However, the best result is achieved by controlling all threats together. The effect of variation of prey refuge   to the control of threats is studied and results indicate that increase of  causes more prey individuals to be saved and reduces the number of predator individuals saved. This behaviour agrees with theoretical results obtained in co-existence equilibrium point.
    VL  - 4
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Mathematics, University of Dar Es Salaam, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

  • Department of Mathematics, University of Dar Es Salaam, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

  • Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar Es Salaam, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

  • Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

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