Properties of some density-dependent integrodifference equation population models

Integrodifference equations may be used as models of populations with discrete generations inhabiting continuous habitats. In this paper integrodifference equation models are formulated for annual plant populations without a seed bank; these models differ in the stage of the life cycle at which intraspecific competition acts to reduce vital rates. The models exhibit a sequence of period-doubling bifurcations leading to chaotic spatial and temporal behavior. The behavior of the models when modal dispersal distances are at the origin is compared with their behavior when these distances are displaced away from the origin. The models are capable of predicting stable, cyclical, and chaotic asymptotic behavior. They also predict that the variance of dispersal distances is an important indicator of the colonizing ability of a species.