Matrix population models

Matrix population models are mathematical tools used to predict how a population changes over time. They organize information about different age or stage groups—like babies, adults, or seniors—into a grid called a matrix. By applying this matrix to current population data, we can estimate future numbers, accounting for factors like birth rates, survival, and aging. These models help ecologists, demographers, and conservationists understand population trends, plan resource management, and make informed decisions about species conservation or societal growth.