Nonlinear analysis of insect population dynamics based on generalized additive models and statistical computing using R

Key Words：population dynamics, analysis, generalized additive models, R project

Abstract：Population dynamics are effect by ecological factors such as climate, natural enemies and soil conditions. Nonlinearity, complexity and uncertainty are inherent in insect population dynamics.Generalized additive models (GAMs) are often used to analyse nonlinear or nonmonotonic relationships between response and explanatory variables. These models provide effective tools for exploring the dynamics of insect populations and their primary driving factors. This paper introduces the use of generalized additive models in insect population dynamics and their analysis using R. The relationship between the population sizes of rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee and the duration and amount of precipitation from 1973 to 1990 are modeled using GAM.