Team # 1910246 Page 4 of 26
of the dragon.
Then we let the number of sheep represent the supply of resources to the
dragon in the habitat, and assume that this value is proportional to the ecosys-
tem’s area. Considering the factors affecting the number of sheep, we establish
the Dragon-Sheep-Habitat Model based on differential equations and obtain a
curve of the number of sheep over time.In order to ensure the sustainable sup-
ply of the ecosystem to the dragon, the initial number of sheep should have a
minimum, otherwise the ecosystem will collapse due to the slow recovery.
To meet the minimum requirements for the dragon’s activities, we consider
this minimum as the community’s capability to support the dragon in the habitat
as the minimum standard for measuring the size of the ecosystem. Then, from
this minimum value, we can refer the minimum habitat area for maintaining the
dragon’s survival. Hence, based on the above results, we discuss the impact of
dragons on the ecosystem.
Considering the migration of dragons, the survival pressures of dragons in
varied climate regions are different. We focus on the three different climate re-
gions of the arid region, the warm temperate regions and the arctic region, to
analyze the effect of different regions have on the survival resources of mature
dragons. According to the above analysis of the daily energy intake of the dragon
and the Dragon-Sheep-Habitat Model, we discuss the minimum requirement of
resources for the dragon’s long-term survival based on the different climatic con-
ditions, the dragon’s consumption and the ecosystem’s supply difference, as well
as the impact of the dragon on the local ecosystem.
2 Assumptions and Justifications
By adequate analysis of the problem, to simplify our model, we make the
following well-justified assumptions.
1. The growth of dragons conforms to fundamental biological laws. If the
dragon lives in the real world, as a species on the earth, its growth and
maturation should be the same as other creatures, to meet the fundamental
biological laws.
2. The dragon is a homothermal animal whose body temperature is not af-
fected by the environment.
3. The dragon can fly and withstand huge wounds, and it will not easily die
due to physical, chemical and biological attacks. According to the mythol-
ogy and the TV series, we can consider that the dragon is with a capabil-
ity to fly, and its flight satisfies the aerodynamics. In the meantime, the
dragon is overgrowing, and its matured shape surpasses all the terrestrial
creatures, and any species is unable to bear the Dracarys from the dragon.