(works well in Safari)

WHAT IS IT?

This model simulates reproduction. The overall behavior of this model is showing how different factors affect population size. It lets you test different scenarios using different numbers.

HOW IT WORKS

This model has one main agent. The agents are the turtles that reproduce. The turtles are supposed to meet each other and then hatch a baby turtle. The turtles are supposed to die when the age is equal to or more than the lifespan. The population and the lifespan affect everyone. The birthrate only affects the female turtles.

HOW TO USE IT

In order to use this applet, first hit setup. This sets up your turtles in the screen. Afterwards, hit the go button and the applet will start. The initial-population slider sets the population when you press setup. The birthrate slider sets the percent chance that the female and male hatch a baby when they meet. The lifespan slider sets the age at which the turtles die.

THINGS TO TRY

Try messing with the slider, and see what happens. You will have a longer era if all the sliders are on 100%.

EXTENDING THE MODEL

One thing you could do to make this model more realistic, is take in account that there are people that don't want kids. You could add a slider of the % of people that don't want kids. Then that percent of your turtles don't reproduce.

CREDITS AND REFERENCES

"Created by Sidhartha Jandhyala on February 18,2008 for the apprenticeship program at the Shodor Education Foundation.