Corbett will speak on "In Silico Experiments with the Effect of Natural Habitats on Biological Control in Agricultural Landscapes" at the next department seminar, set for 4:10 p.m., Monday, Oct. 21 in Room 122 of Briggs Hall. The seminar also will be on Zoom. The link:
https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/95882849672.
The recording will be archived and posted at https://entomology.ucdavis.edu/seminars.
"Field studies and recent meta-analyses have found conflicting effects of habitat diversity on biological control in agricultural landscapes," Corbett says in his abstract. "To explore the reasons behind these variable responses, a detailed mechanistic model of pest/predator dynamics has been developed to enable in silico experimentation. The model structure allows for varying landscape factors such as coverage and distribution of natural habitats, varying resources provided by both natural habitats and crops, as well as varying predator traits such as overwintering densities, dispersal distances and predator search area."
"Overall, crop pest loads are highly variable across simulation scenarios, mimicking the conflicting results from field research," he continues. "Simulation results suggest that while natural enemy response to landscape structure is moderated to some extent by dispersal behavior, variation in resource availability to early colonizers is pivotal to understanding the highly variable responses of natural enemies to landscape heterogeneity. In silico experimentation that informs, and is informed by, field research has the potential to yield predictions regarding when conservation biological control efforts are likely to be most successful."
Corbett will be presenting results of some simulation studies. The simulations are intended to approximate lygus and Geocoris (bigeyed bugs) on cotton, but they also apply to "really any annual crop/plant bug/predatory bug combination."
"I've had an eclectic career path that includes ecological research, teaching, mathematical modelling, computer programming, instructional design, project management and team leadership," Corbett writes on LinkedIn. "I am currently engaged in ecological research, using simulation modeling to explore how the structure of agricultural landscapes impacts crop pest insects and their natural enemies. Although I recently retired from full-time employment, I remain active in the design and creation of simulation-based learning experiences. I'm currently consulting for SimInsights, creators of HyperSkill, a no-code authoring and deployment platform for VR learning experiences."
Corbett, formerly with the lab of UC Davis distinguished professor Jay Rosenheim (now emeritus), focuses his research on landscape ecology of natural enemies in agricultural systems. His current work involves landscape-scale simulation of how natural enemies respond to resources provided by natural habitats and the subsequent effects on crop pest loads.
Corbett received his doctorate in ecology in June 1991, in a joint UC Davis/San Diego State University doctoral program. His career includes serving as an instructional innovative specialist with the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, UC Davis Health System, and as a senior instructional designer with the UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education.
Nematologist Amanda Hodson, assistant professor, is coordinating the ENT seminars. The full list is here. For more information or for technical issues, contact Hodson at akhodson@ucdavis.edu.
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