Spatial Matrix Population Models Event

In order to assess the demographic factors (e.g. survival, fertility, migration) driving population dynamics, it is necessary to construct spatial matrix population models. Many spatial matrix models combine dispersal and fertility & mortality estimates to create a projection matrix which is then applied to the age-structured population data to calculate/predict future population sizes and compositions. This process of combining factors sometimes leads to information about the individual demographic factors being difficult to retrieve and analyse. Hunter & Caswell (2005) set out a modeling method that utilizes vec-permutation matrices in order to keep this information separate. For this seminar I will outline the principal steps of this method and discuss its use for my current analyses of human population data, which investigates the sensitivities and elasticities of (transient and asymptotic) population growth to migration, fertility and mortality.

These meetings are intended for everyone with an interest in the application of spatial analysis and modelling methods. All are welcome to join us – it’s a great opportunity to get together and discuss on-going research, methods, conferences, publications and more in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.
Feel free to bring your lunch!

[NB If you would like to give a talk or chair a discussion or journal club at a future meeting, please get in touch with Nicola Wardrop for population and health topics: Nicola.Wardrop@soton.ac.uk )  or Felix Eigenbrod for environment topics: F.Eigenbrod@soton.ac.uk ]