Modelling the Southwestern Alberta Grizzly Bear Population using Ordinary Differential Equations

Abstract

The Alberta grizzly bear population was listed as “threatened” by the Alberta Wildlife Association in 2010. This particular species is important, as it is an umbrella species for a variety of other animals. Our goal in this project was to create a model using ordinary differential equations, based on the logistic growth model, to determine whether the Southern Alberta grizzly bear population is recoverable. We aimed to calculate the rate at which the population was growing and its carrying capacity. With our model, we estimated the minimum viable population necessary for the species.

Discipline: Mathematics

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ion Bica