Mathematical Models Help Tell the Future of Animals That Are Living in the Ocean

The future of animals in the ocean is unknown. But, mathematical models can help scientists predict  information about the circumstances of animals lives in the ocean. The future of our oceans and the future of the animals living is unpredictable. This is where scientists use math to figure out what is going to happen. Changes in temperature affect animals living in the water. The temperature of the water determines which animals will do well in the water and thrive, and which will struggle, die, and become extinct. There is a range of temperatures an organism can survive in. Each organism has a thermal death point. Certain temperature ranges help an animal reproduce and have more of one organism. There is a range in which species can function which is at or near optimum. When the species are not at or near their optimum point, it is a sign of physiological stress which can cause problems in the organism.

Scientists, including graduate students, researchers, and post-docs in the life sciences and mathematics, often use mathematical models. A mathematical model is a complex model that represents relationships in mathematical form that is used to study the behavior of a certain organism to make reasonable conclusions. Mathematical models can solve problems relating to biology and many other fields.

Scientists, such as Alma Yesenia Ceja who is speaking at the next seminar, studies and will talk about what data she finds through mathematical models about the future lives of crabs.