Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Maria Ordonez, Sophomore Fabio Araujo
Lead Presenter's Name
Maria Ordonez
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Jorge Gonzalez
Abstract
Fungi play a critical role in ecosystems as decomposers that recycle nutrients and maintain environmental balance. Their populations are influenced by multiple environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, nutrient availability, and interactions with other organisms. In this project, the Lotka–Volterra model is used to analyze how competing fungal species interact and how these interactions influence population dynamics over time. By modeling two fungal populations competing for the same limited resources, the equations illustrate how environmental conditions and competition coefficients determine whether one species dominates; both species coexist, or one species becomes extinct. The model provides insight into how changes in environmental conditions, such as increased temperature or reduced humidity, can shift competitive advantages among fungal species. This study demonstrates how mathematical models can be applied to ecological systems to better understand fungal population behavior and ecosystem stability.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Included in
Analyzing Fungal Growth Dynamics Under Different Environmental Conditions Using a Lotka–Volterra Competition System
Fungi play a critical role in ecosystems as decomposers that recycle nutrients and maintain environmental balance. Their populations are influenced by multiple environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, nutrient availability, and interactions with other organisms. In this project, the Lotka–Volterra model is used to analyze how competing fungal species interact and how these interactions influence population dynamics over time. By modeling two fungal populations competing for the same limited resources, the equations illustrate how environmental conditions and competition coefficients determine whether one species dominates; both species coexist, or one species becomes extinct. The model provides insight into how changes in environmental conditions, such as increased temperature or reduced humidity, can shift competitive advantages among fungal species. This study demonstrates how mathematical models can be applied to ecological systems to better understand fungal population behavior and ecosystem stability.