Applications of Competition Graphs and (1,2)-step Competition Graphs

Student Researcher: Benjamin Barros

Mentor: Dr. Kim Factor

In the 1960s, Cohen developed competition graphs to model ecosystems. Since then a lot of theory has been developed on the subject. This summer I will be working with Dr. Kim Factor as I research applications of competition graphs and (1,2)-step competition graphs. More specifically, I will be applying these graphs to a specific food web that models foods webs of Hawaiian ecosystems to study the impact of invasive species on these ecosystems. Hawaii has a very unique ecosystem because of its isolation and climate and when invasive species are introduced they is often harmful to Hawaii's ecosystem. I hope to provide some insight to the problem of invasive species in Hawaii by using competition graphs and (1,2)-step competition graphs.