The application of degree-day models to study current and future organism development: cautions, limitations, and recommendations Open Access

Moore, Julia L (2011)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/z316q1857?locale=en
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Abstract

Degree-day models are mathematical models that have been used extensively to
study organism development, particularly in agricultural and public health contexts.
Though simple and easy to use, model specifications and parametric uncertainty can
influence the results of such applications, often substantially. Yet, model limitations
and assumptions are often not considered in the application of degree-day models.
This thesis investigates the structural and parametric choices that must be made
when using degree-day models, and makes recommendations for how these models
can best be applied. First, degree-day model structure and assumptions are
comprehensively reviewed. In particular, linear and non-linear developmental
functional responses are compared, as are the various methods used to incorporate
temperature thresholds and to calculate daily degree-days. Next, uncertainty in two
key degree-day model parameters is explored by using a population model of
Oncomelania hupensis, the intermediate snail host of the parasite that causes
schistosomiasis in East Asia, to make predictions of future snail distributions in
Sichuan Province, China. I conclude that structural and parametric specifications
should be chosen based on the context of the organism under study and the specific
temperature patterns of the region. In addition, future predictions of organism
distribution are highly sensitive to parametric uncertainty, and thus caution should
be used when interpreting the results of degree-day model predictions under
scenarios of future climate change. I conclude that, if degree-day model limitations
are considered and model assumptions met, degree-day models can be a powerful
tool for studying temperature-dependent development.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1. Modeling temperature-dependent development: structural, parametric, and experimental issues in degree-day models

1.1. Introduction

1.2. Generalized model of temperature-dependent development

1.3. Developmental functional response

1.3.1. Linear

1.3.2. Non-linear

1.3.3. Comparison of functional response forms

1.4. Temperature thresholds

1.4.1. Estimating temperature thresholds

1.5. Degree-days

1.5.1. Estimating teh total degree-days required for development, K

1.5.2. Methods for calculating daily degree-days, k

1.5.2.1. Daily average

1.5.2.2. Triangle and double triangle

1.5.2.3. Sine and double sine

1.5.2.4. Variations

1.5.3. Comparison of methods used to calculate k

1.6. Discussion

Chapter 2. Cautioning the use of degree-day models for licmate change projections: predicting the future distribution of parasite hosts in the presence of parametric uncertainty

2.1. Introduction
2.2. Materials and methods

2.2.1. Population model
2.2.2. Temperature data
2.2.3. Parameter estimation using historical Oncomelania hupensis presence in Sichuan Province
2.2.4. Sensitivity analysis

2.2.4.1. Individual location analysis
2.2.4.1. Distributional analysis

2.3. Results

2.3.1. Temperature projection model
2.3.2. Parameter estimation
2.3.3. Sensitivity analysis

2.3.3.1. Individual cell analysis
2.3.3.2. Distributional analysis

2.4. Discussion
2.5. Conclusion
2.6. Acknowledgements

Conclusion
Bibliography

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