Appendix A - Diagrams

Arrows in the diagrams are read as a trigger, or control from the tail of the arrow to the head of the arrow.

Boxes are stocks - where a quantity is accumulated

Valves coming out, or going into, boxes are out- and in-flows.

Circles are auxiliary quantities or actions.

Variables and Controllers for both diagrams

(see Appendix B - Equations, for the starting values of each stock)

Area = The total area of the continent

M25 = The number of animal units per unit area

Regen K & Rate K = control of the carrying capacity for herbivores

K limit = Herbivore carrying capacity

B rate H = Birth rate of herbivores

Regen H = Regeneration rate of herbivores

Herb AU = Herbivores in animal units

Out H = Out flow of herbivores from the population

M1295 = The number of Homo sapiens per unit area

Regen HsL & Rate HsL = Control of the carrying capacity for Homo sapiens

Hs Limit = Homo sapiens carrying capacity

B rate Hs = Birth rate of Homo sapiens

Migration Pulse Hs = start time of Homo sapiens migration

Regen Hs = Regeneration rate of Homo sapiens

H. sapiens = Homo sapiens population level in individuals

H kill rate and Kill = the number of animals killed per unit of H. sapiens.

Diagram 1 - Using the values and relationships as specified by Whittington and Dyke (1989)

Each of the diagrams is the same save for the addition of an outflow from the Hs Limit box and its controller in Diagram 2. This represents the relationship between the death of herbivores, Out H, and the state of the carrying capacity of Homo sapiens, Hs Limit. In both diagrams the level of the Hs Limit box impacts the regeneration rate of Homo sapiens.


Back to the Critique of Whittington and Dyke

References

Appendix B - Equations.

The two sleuths, Skylark Holmes and Dr. Janet Watson discuss the presentation of their own computer model of the Pleistocene extinctions and some additional problems with Whittington and Dyke (1989)

Background - Follow the Clews with Skylark Holmes and Dr. Janet Watson Scientific Investigators in their first case -"The Case of the Aboricidal Megaherbivores"