Invasive Studies of Dandelion and other Alien Species Based on Predictive Models

Abstract

Taraxacum officinale is a plant commonly known as the dandelion. It is a perennial herb native to Eurasia but has been introduced to other parts of the world and is now considered a weed in many areas. Dandelions are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments and are also used as a food source in some cultures. However, some people regard it as an invasive species, which is a species that is harmful to the biological chain. Some suggest a reason: the dandelion's reproductive rate and ability to survive are so strong that it can easily encroach on the territory of other species, causing their numbers to decline.

To protect the whole ecosystem, we need to protect other species from being invaded by dandelions. Therefore, the first problem analyzed is the spread of dandelions, and the main idea for the first problem is the Sprawl prediction-based model. The influence of different environmental factors on the spread of dandelions was considered to predict the number of dandelions after a certain time.

The second model is the Logistic model, which considers the competition relationship and also uses MATLAB to draw the image. Showing the relationship between the number of dandelions and that of another species. With some knowledge of the spread and a detailed analysis of the danger of dandelions to other species, we hypothesized two main species and counted their numbers to determine the impact of dandelions. Finally, our group inquired about the concept of invasive species to further analyze whether dandelions fit.