CARMA's integrative modeling: historical background of modeling caribou and reindeer biology relevant to development of an energy/protein model.

Abstract

Introduction "e objective of this brief communication is to review how development of spreadsheet and computer simulation models of Rangifer biology/ecology has in#uenced construction of the CircumArctic Rangifer Monitoring and Assessment (CARMA) energy/protein model, which simulates body weight and condition and reproduction characteristics of a female caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in response to environmental inputs and reproductive history. A full description of input variables, driving algorithms and output variables of the CARMA energy/ protein model is being written for a peer-reviewed publication. "is publication also will be the basis of a manual to assist users as they exercise the model. In this publication we give rationale for algorithms and we justify the hierarchy used to allocate energy and protein resources throughout the model. Also in preparation is a publication that addresses veri$cation of key algorithms and performs a sensitivity analysis of key components of the model. "is review is restricted to models speci$c to Rangifer and published since the early 1970s. It covers the scope of input that in#uenced our modeling process and has import to understanding modeling of caribou biology and ecology in the last 40 years.