Dynamic Programming and Learning Models for Management of a Nonnative Species

Mark Eiswerth, Gerrit van Kooten, Jeff Lines and Alison Eagle

No 2005-07, Working Papers from University of Victoria, Department of Economics, Resource Economics and Policy Analysis Research Group

Abstract: Nonnative invasive species result in sizeable economic damages and expensive control costs. Because dynamic optimization models break down if controls depend in complex ways on past controls, non-uniform or scale-dependent spatial attributes, etc., decision support systems that allow learning may be preferred. We compare three models of an invasive weed in California’s grazing lands: (1) a stochastic dynamic programming model, (2) a reinforcement-based, experience-weighted attraction (EWA) learning model, and (3) an EWA model that also includes stochastic forage growth and penalties for repeated application of environmentally harmful control techniques. Results indicate that EWA learning models may be appropriate for invasive species management.

Keywords: Invasive weed species; optimal control; adaptive management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C73 Q57 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 29 pages
Date: 2005-07
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https://web.uvic.ca/~repa/publications/REPA%20work ... kingPaper2005-07.pdf Final version, 2005 (application/pdf)

Related works:
Journal Article: Dynamic Programming and Learning Models for Management of a Nonnative Species (2007)
Working Paper: Dynamic Programming and Learning Models for Management of a Nonnative Species (2005)
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