WOLF.C simulates wolf population. It is stochastic; that is, individual wolves are born or die depending on the result of a random number generator. The random (actually pseudo-random) number generator uses a 'seed' at the start; this comes from the computer's clock. Therefore, each time you run the program, you can get different answers. This is as it should be: sometimes a population prospers, sometimes it dies out. (The program may have to be run several times to 'seed' a persistent population.) In general, life is rough: it is very hard, both in this simulation and in the real world, to get a stable population going! This simulation is in its very early stages. Currently, it assumes that the wolves live from zero to eight years. From one or two years until the end of their lives, they may have from zero to six pups per year. As the pack size grows, litter size will become smaller. Eventually, the simulation dreamed of will have wolves and prey, all interacting in the same fashion.
Installation and operation instructions may all be found in the WOLF.README and WOLF.C files downloadable from Ecology Software Subjects (see Data below) on the Illinois Natural History Survey Wildlife Ecology Software Server ( a "Magellan" 4 star sight!).
Author of the abstract: R P Sarna