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Non-negative matrices, dynamic programming and a harvesting problem. (English) Zbl 0566.60081

The author considers the plight of a small population threatened by extinction through environmental resource limitation. A strategy of harvesting (or culling) so as to leave a viable residue with optimal survival prospects is examined by dynamic programming and related methods. It is concluded that the optimal strategy is always to cull the population in such a way as to leave it in a state with maximal reproductive capacity.
Reviewer: B.W.Conolly

MSC:

60J80 Branching processes (Galton-Watson, birth-and-death, etc.)
90C39 Dynamic programming
92D25 Population dynamics (general)
92D40 Ecology
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