Simple models of evolution and extinction
Abstract
Description
This article gives a brief introduction to the mathematical modeling of large-scale biological evolution and extinction. We give three examples of simple models in this field: the coevolutionary avalanche model of Bak and Sneppen, the environmental stress model of Newman, and the increasing fitness model of Sibani, Schmidt, and Alstrom. We describe the features of real evolution which these models are intended to explain and compare the results of simulations against data drawn from the fossil record.
8 pages, 6 figures. To appear as an invited article in Computing in Science and Engineering
8 pages, 6 figures. To appear as an invited article in Computing in Science and Engineering