Back to marketplace

22 Models of population growth and diffusion

No description yet. This curated deck is ready for daily study.

Total cards: 24•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

Card preview (24)

#1
Front (Question)

why we consider Reaction–diffusion models

Back (Answer)

What if you not only have random movement in time, but also vital processes (e.g. birth, death, competition for resources,predations. . . ) are taking place while individuals move in space? other reactivons besides diffusion diffusion + a function describing the reaction

#2
Front (Question)

Reaction–diffusion models are of the form

Back (Answer)

∂N(x, t)/∂t= = D∇²N(x, t) + f(N(x, t)) diffusion + reaction x ∈ Ω, t ≥ 0 where f(N) accounts for population vital processes that are not related to diffusion in space N(x,t)~pop density at x ∈ Ω ∇² ~ d dimensional Laplace operator R(N)~ reaction term models how the pop changes besides spreading diffusively and eq reduces to diffusion when R=0 firstly we look at R(N) is a linear function of N and hence describes how the population grows

#3
Front (Question)

Reaction–diffusion models are of the form variations

Back (Answer)

systems of equations if more than one species could be interacting together x could be 1d,3d we focus on exponential growth: f(N)= αN, where α is the Malthusian parameter (assumed α > 0) linear function f (if α<0 pop would go extinct) we consider cases: * finite one-dimensional domain [0, L] in R *plane R^2 , unbounded growth

#4
Front (Question)

Skellam work from 1951

Back (Answer)

Considers questions related to the dispersal of: oak trees ‘small animals animals such as earthworms and snails’ in one dimension (‘linear habitat’): costal zones, bank of a river. . . and in two dimensions with radial symmetry

#5
Front (Question)

Kierstead and Slobodkin work from 1953

Back (Answer)

considers a growing phytoplankton population in a mass of (favourable) water (constrained) surrounded by water that is unsuitable for the survival of the population how can they persist in the limited space?

#6
Front (Question)

The KISS (Kierstead–Slobodkin–Skellam) model assumptions and requirements

Back (Answer)

We want to model a population that: lives in a one-dimensional habitat (river, coast,. . . ), x ∈ [0, L] (boundary domain) diffuses in the habitat with diffusion coefficient D > 0 the habitat is favourable: the population has a net growth at per capita rate α > 0 [T⁻¹] (if we balance reproduction and death we have a positive growth) is surrounded by extremely unfavourable habitat: immediate death out of [0, L]

#7
Front (Question)

The KISS (Kierstead–Slobodkin–Skellam) model model

Back (Answer)

∂N(x, t)/∂t= = D ∂²N(x, t)/∂x ² +αN(x,t) diffusion + reproduces at rate α (per capita rate) x ∈ [0,L] , t ≥ 0 (∂²N(x, t)/∂x ² Laplacian in 1D!) (immediate death at the boundary: N(x, t)=0 for x not in (0,L) favourable habitat:) unfavourable gives absorbing Dirichlet homogeneous boundary conditions N(L,t)=0 N(0,t)=0 and initial condition N(x, 0) = N₀(x), where: D is the diffusion coefficient α > 0 is a constant growth rate ([α] = 1/time)

#8
Front (Question)

∂N(x, t)/∂t= = D ∂²N(x, t)/∂x ² +αN(x,t) x ∈ [0,L] , t ≥ 0 absorbing Dirichlet homogeneous boundary conditions N(L,t)=0 N(0,t)=0 and initial condition N(x, 0) = N₀(x), where: D is the diffusion coefficient α > 0 is a constant growth rate ([α] = 1/time) model for pop growth and diffusion in 1D : what do we know about the sol from the ODE?

Back (Answer)

we have studied how +αN(x,t) term know it will be an exponentially growing pop we have studied how diffusion eq on [0,L] with absorbing boundary conditions is doomed to be extinct for any initial condition so … While α > 0 implies individuals have a positive net production, the absorbing boundaries ‘remove’ individuals/mass from the domain. they oppose How much do individuals need to reproduce for the population to persist? The critical size given the rate of growth

#9
Front (Question)

SOLUTION STANDARD FORM ∂N(x, t)/∂t= = D ∂²N(x, t)/∂x ² +αN(x,t) x ∈ [0,L] , t ≥ 0 absorbing Dirichlet homogeneous boundary conditions N(L,t)=0 N(0,t)=0 and initial condition N(x, 0) = N₀(x), where: D is the diffusion coefficient α > 0 is a constant growth rate ([α] = 1/time)

Back (Answer)

N(x, t) = Σ[n=1,∞] a ₙ sin(nπx/L)* exp (α − [[D(nπ)² ]/L² ]]t) infinite sum,time dep only in exp pop will explode if positive exponent , if all exponents are neg then doomed to die out as n becomes larger the neg term begins to dominate so we consider the smallest [[D(nπ)² ]/L² ]]t

#10
Front (Question)

standard form sol for models of growth and diffusion in 1D with absorbing Dirichlet homogenous conditions N(x, t) = Σ[n=1,∞] a ₙ sin(nπx/L)* exp (α − [[D(nπ)² ]/L² ]]t) when does the pop grow?

Back (Answer)

largest exp of time dep function if grows only if exp is positive and largest is obtained for n=1 with value α − (Dπ²/L²) THUS the population grows if and only if α − (Dπ²/L²)>0 ie L> π* sqrt(D/α) KISS size (critical length) Growth is promoted by: larger α (more growth) larger favourable domain L (better growth before hitting) slower diffusion D (sends to unfavourable habitat)

#11
Front (Question)

summary model of pop growth and diffusion on [0,L] and absorbing dirichlet homogenous boundary conditions

Back (Answer)

“a population in circulation for a finite region can support itself against diffusion only if reproductive rate exceeds leakage”

#12
Front (Question)

Imagine you have mixed absorbing/reflecting boundaries (unfavourable environment at one end, perfectly reflecting at the other end). Can you guess the condition for population growth?

Back (Answer)

(Exercise: example sheet 5, Q3) good practice for the refresher for how to solve the diffusion eq (alpha =0) You could have an exam q about “this is the diffusion eq show that.. or find the solution based on BCs etc” For absorbing conditions we had L> π* sqrt(D/α) L_crit= π* sqrt(D/α) Now if we have mixed boundary conditions one reflecting( aborbing at L unfavourable and reflecting at 0): ∂N(0,t)/∂x=0 N(L,t)=0 it is actually like we have the interval twice so L_crit = π* sqrt(D/α)/2 showing this by assuming seperability we get again… N(x,t)= Cexp((α -λₙ)Dt * F(x)=acos(√{λ/D}x)+bsin(√{λ/D}x) but now different conditions: F’(0)=0 a√{λ} = 0 a=0 (if we had swapped the conditions the solution would just be cosines) F(L)=0 √{λ} L + (π/2) +nπ = π(0.5+n) meaning √{λ} =π(0.5+n)/L because of the mixed boundaries family of sols dep on n and we sum from n=0 as the 0 term is not 0 as no longer just sines N(x,t)= Σₙ bₙcos((n+0.5)π/L)x)* exp((α -D((n+0.5)π)²/L²)t) ???check D from n=0 to∞ if we want to check when this pop grows we look at largest time exp which occurs including when n=0 which we get an exp((α -D((0.5)π)²/L²)t) inverting this condition gives us L_crit= [π* sqrt(D/α)] /2 b_n would be determined by initial condition by integration against cosines method used

#13
Front (Question)

Solution to the KISS model SOLUTION STANDARD FORM DERIVATION ∂N(x, t)/∂t= = D ∂²N(x, t)/∂x ² +αN(x,t) x ∈ [0,L] , t ≥ 0 Boundary condition N(L,t)=N(0,t)=0 initial condition N(x, 0) = N₀(x),

Back (Answer)

(solved similar to case where α=0) 1:assume seperable function N(x,t)=F(x)G(t) ∂N(x, t)/∂t= F(x)G(t) ∂²N(x, t)/∂x ² = G(t)F’‘(x) 2 into the eq for PDE F(x)G(t)= DG(t)F’‘(x) +α F(x)G(t) (we look for a nontrivial sol we can assume both functs are not 0 so we can divide by) G(t)/G(t) = DF’‘(x)/F(x) +α (1/D)G(t)/G(t) - α = F’‘(x)/F(x) = -λ λ>0 as LHS dep on t only, RHS on x (space) only then must be constant The constant must be negative as o/w we can’t satisfy BCs (1/D)G(t)/G(t) - α =-λ** G(t)/G(t) = α -λD (linear ODE) (D check) G(t) = Cexp((α -λD)t) constant C Gₙ(t)= Cexp((α -λₙD)t (CHECK D IS CORRECT?) F’‘(x)/F(x) = -λ (2nd order ODE so look at the characteristic terms) characteristic eq roots DX² +λ =0 imaginary roots solution is a form of sines and cosines F(x)=asin(√{λ/D}x)+bcos(√{λ/D}x) three use BCs absorbing conditions N(L,t)=N(0,t)=0 G(t)[b]=0 for all t means b=0 G(t)[asin(√{λ}L))=0 for all t means (as a non zero) √{λ}L= (nπ) √{λ}= (nπ)/L for integer n Fₙ(x) = aₙsin(nπ/L)) Fₙ(x) Gₙ(t) = Cexp((α -D(nπ)²/L²)t)[ aₙsin(nπ/L)x)] four superposition superposition principle, because this is a linear equation a general solution is given by a linear combination of all the particular solutions thus N(x,t)= Σₙ aₙsin(nπ/L)x)* exp((α -(nπ)²/L²)Dt) from n=1 to∞ with aₙ determined by the IC: N(x, 0) = N₀(x), initial condition N(x, 0) = N₀(x), N(x,0)= Σₙ aₙsin(nπ/L)x) now if we integrate: ∫₀ᴸ sin(nπx/L)*sin(mπx/L).dx this is non zero only if n=m = {2/L if n=m {0 if n≠m aₙ= (2/L) ∫₀ᴸ N₀(x) sin(nπx/L).dx

#14
Front (Question)

explaining why (2nd order ODE so look at the characteristic terms) DF’‘(x)/F(x) = -λ characteristic eq roots X² +λ =0 imaginary roots solution is a form of sines and cosines [asin(√{λ}x)+bcos(√{λ}x)

Back (Answer)

we have BC [0,L] abosrbing dirichlet homogeneous as we expect for solutions to be a family of functions depending on sines with 0 as sin(0) and sin(function of L)=0

#15
Front (Question)

explaining the steps for: used the principle of superposition N(x,t)= Σₙ aₙsin(nπ/L)x)* exp((α -(nπ)²/L²)Dt) from n=1 to∞ with aₙ determined by the IC: N(x, 0) = N₀(x),

Back (Answer)

this is non zero only if n=m N(x,0)= Σₙ aₙsin(nπ/L)x) The family of functs of sines satisfy an orthogonality condition: in [0,L] at all frequencies now if we integrate the product of sines: ∫₀ᴸ sin(nπx/L)*sin(mπx/L).dx {2/L if n=m {0 if n≠m dep on length of domain. So because of this we can compute the integral of out general sol (the simplest case of it; when t=0) N(x,0)= Σₙ aₙsin(nπ/L)x) then as linear ∫₀ᴸN₀(x)* [sin(mπ/L)x)] .dx = ∫₀ᴸ Σₙ aₙsin(nπ/L)x) * [sin(mπ/L)x)] .dx =Σₙ ∫₀ᴸ aₙsin(nπ/L)x) * [sin(mπ/L)x)] .dx =2aₘ/L then compute using n instead and rearrange aₙ= (L/2) ∫₀ᴸN₀(x)* [sin(nπ/L)x)] .dx

#16
Front (Question)

dirac delta δ(x-x₀)=

Back (Answer)

a measure not a function centred at 0:δ(x)= {0 everywhere {infinite in 0 measures 0 defined using the integral: ∫-∞,∞ δ(x)f(x)= f(0) any function f centred at x₀: δ(x-x₀)= infinite at (x-x₀) 0 everywhere else defined using the integral: ∫-∞,∞ δ(x-x₀)f(x)= f( x-x₀) any function f links to gaussian distribution limit as all mass concentrated at one point and 0 elsewhere

#17
Front (Question)

if we are interested in the specific case of N₀(x)= δ(x-x₀)

Back (Answer)

aₙ= (L/2) ∫₀ᴸ N₀(x) sin(nπx/L).dx = (L/2) ∫₀ᴸ δ(x-x₀) sin(nπx/L).dx =(L/2) sin(nπx₀/L) EXPLICIT EXPRESSION now for coeffs finally GS given by infinite sum where we have explicitly computed aₙ

#18
Front (Question)

we consider: Exponential growth and diffusion without boundaries in IR2

Back (Answer)

Let us now consider the case of the diffusion equation (diffusivity D) with a linear growth term (grow rate α) in the unbounded two-dimensional space IR^2 (no geography just space) IR2 darker more towards centre-Exponential growth and diffusion in the unbounded two-dimensional space IR2 Initially, the population is at the origin; the density N(r, t) is a radial function and varies only with the distance r from the origin: Density is high in dark regions and low in light regions pop only varies with distance r from the centre- no angular dependence N=N(r,t) radial function of the space and of time if growth rate negative at first for sure pop goes extinct so assume α>0

#19
Front (Question)

Diffusion without boundaries in IR2 : diffusion and growth Radial symmetry: polar coordinates in IR2 model PDE:

Back (Answer)

∂N(r, t)/∂t = D∇²N(r, t) + αN(r, t) = D(1/r)∂/∂r (r (∂N(r, t)/∂r)+ αN(r, t) we let the population free to expand on the plane IR², so r ∈ (0, ∞) (no boundary), but we assume that N(r, t) is bounded everywhere, and in particular N(r, t) → 0 as r → ∞;further away tends to 0 assumed

#20
Front (Question)

Diffusion without boundaries in IR2 :diffusion and growth Radial symmetry: polar coordinates in IR2 model PDE: Fundamental solution in the unbounded plane

Back (Answer)

N(r, t) = N~₀ /{4πDt}*exp( αt −r²/4Dt) where N₀~ is the total initial population density so that N(x, 0) = N~₀ δ(r) Fundamental sol as assumed: (where δ is the Dirac delta in r = 0; as we assumed initially the population was concentrated at a specific point the centre, r=origin at t=0) N(r,0)=N₀(r) =N~₀ δ(r)=0 pop initially concentrated at origin as δ is a distribution integrates to 1 : ∫∫_R² N~₀ δ(r) dr dθ = N~₀ total number of individuals in space

#21
Front (Question)

Diffusion without boundaries in IR2 :diffusion and growth what does it look like

Back (Answer)

pop initially concentrated at origin immediately diffusion happens, gaussian like density: positive probability to find the species anywhere on the plane, including infinity. diffusion means you find the population at any location r > 0 at any time t > 0. But we imagine we have a “detectable level of pop” under which we cannot detect, limit of N as r tends to infinity is thus 0 So now we look for N( r𝒸,t) = N𝒸

#22
Front (Question)

Diffusion without boundaries in IR2 :diffusion and growth N𝒸 how does limit of r𝒸 change as t →∞?

Back (Answer)

a detectable level What is the edge of the detectable population then? r𝒸, for which for x> r𝒸 we have N(x,t)=0, radius for which we have a detectable level N( r𝒸,t) = N𝒸 r𝒸 = 2t √[ (αD)[1 − (1/αt) * ln((4π/N~₀)DtN𝒸)] ] we consider the speed at which this detectable level moves For large t the velocity =distance/time of the edge of the pop is lim_t→∞ r𝒸/t = 2√[αD] this is constant dispersal is faster (velocity is larger) if: larger α (larger growth) or/& larger diffusion D (individuals move away faster)

#23
Front (Question)

Find the solution: ∂N(r, t)/∂t = D∇²N(r, t) + αN(r, t) = D(1/r)∂/∂r (r (∂N(r, t)/∂r)+ αN(r, t) we let the population free to expand on the plane IR², so r ∈ (0, ∞) (no boundary), but we assume that N(r, t) is bounded everywhere, and in particular N(r, t) → 0 as r → ∞;further away tends to 0 assumed

Back (Answer)

N(r, t) = N~₀ /{4πDt}*exp( αt −r²/4Dt) where N₀~ is the total initial population density so that N(x, 0) = N~₀ δ(r) METHOD: general used

#24
Front (Question)

general method for solving: ∂N(r, t)/∂t = D∇²N(r, t) + αN(r, t) N(r,0)=N₀(r) =δ(r)

Back (Answer)

U(r,t)=N(r,t) exp(-αt) (expansion in time factored out) Laplacian: ∇²U(r, t) = ∂²U(r, t)/∂r² = ∂²N(r, t)/∂r² * exp(-αt) =∇²N(r, t)*exp(-αt) ∂U(r, t)/∂t= ∂N(r, t)/∂t exp(-αt) -αN(r,t)exp(-αt) thus D∇²U(r, t)exp(αt) + αU(r,t)exp(αt) =[∂U(r, t)/∂t * exp(αt)+ α*U(r,t)exp(αt)] just standard diffusion in R^2: D∇²U(r, t)=[∂U(r, t)/∂t] then assume separability, equate to constant, solve for family of solutions, superposition principle for infinite sum from =0,… guassian distrbution in R^2 fundamental solution uses: N(r,0)=N₀(r) =δ(r) U(r,0)=N(r,0) =δ(r) U(r,t)= {N₀~/4πDt}* exp({− r²/4Dt} } (in R²) N(r,t)=exp(αt) U(r,t)= {N₀~/4πDt}* exp({− r²/4Dt} + αt} This is the distribution of the pop over space, guassian in R²