Sensitivity Characteristics of Response Surface Models for Estimation of Ecological Parameters in Ratio-Dependent Predator-Prey Systems
Dale B. McDonald

Abstract
It has been shown that Response Surface Models (RSMs) may be used to aid the analyst in the understanding of ecological phenomena. Given a dynamic system model of a predator-prey system, strategic use of analytical and numerical methods may allow for estimation of ecological parameters within mathematical models. This is significant, in particular by noting the manner in which RSMs are constructed. Given scattered (discrete) data, radial basis functions (RBFs) and an interpolation parameter denoted by “c” is chosen. What results is a continuous and often differentiable model. This is significant as data collected from field measurements most likely presents in scattered form. The purpose of this treatment is to provide analysts with a pragmatic means by which parameters that are integral components of equations governing predator-prey interactions may be estimated. The fundamental conclusion is that RSM consistency, and insensitivity, to c results in accurate ecological parameter estimation.

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