A fuzzy knowledge-based model of population dynamics of the Yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) in a beech forest

This paper presents some first results obtained by knowledge-based modeling of the abundance of the Yellow-necked mouse in a beech forest in northern Germany. The modeling support system FLECO was used, which is based on fuzzy logic and was developed in the Ecosystem Research Center of the University of Kiel. A fuzzy logic approach was chosen to handle some problems of uncertainty (with respect to data and expert knowledge) in knowledge-based modeling. The prediction of abundance is based on animal weight, food availability and soil surface moisture. These parameters were selected as the most important factors affecting the population dynamics of the Yellow-necked mouse in a beech forest. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.