The Stefan problem for the Fisher–KPP equation

We study the Fisher–KPP equation with a free boundary governed by a one-phase Stefan condition. Such a problem arises in the modeling of the propagation of a new or invasive species, with the free boundary representing the propagation front. In one space dimension this problem was investigated in Du and Lin (2010) [11], and the radially symmetric case in higher space dimensions was studied in Du and Guo (2011) [10]. In both cases a spreading-vanishing dichotomy was established, namely the species either successfully spreads to all the new environment and stabilizes at a positive equilibrium state, or fails to establish and dies out in the long run; moreover, in the case of spreading, the asymptotic spreading speed was determined. In this paper, we consider the non-radially symmetric case. In such a situation, similar to the classical Stefan problem, smooth solutions need not exist even if the initial data are smooth. We thus introduce and study the “weak solution” for a class of free boundary problems that include the Fisher–KPP as a special case. We establish the existence and uniqueness of the weak solution, and through suitable comparison arguments, we extend some of the results obtained earlier in Du and Lin (2010) [11] and Du and Guo (2011) [10] to this general case. We also show that the classical Aronson–Weinberger result on the spreading speed obtained through the traveling wave solution approach is a limiting case of our free boundary problem here.     

The diffusive logistic model with a free boundary in heterogeneous environment

In this paper, we study the population dynamics of an invasive species in heterogeneous environment which is modeled by a diffusive logistic equation with free boundary condition. To understand the effect of the dispersal rate D and the parameter μ (the ratio of the expansion speed of the free boundary and the population gradient at the expanding front) on the dynamics of this model, we divide the heterogeneous environment into two cases: strong heterogeneous environment and weak heterogeneous environment. By choosing D and μ as variable parameters, we derive sufficient conditions for species spreading (resp. vanishing) in the strong heterogeneous environment; while in the weak heterogeneous environment, we obtain sharp criteria for the spreading and vanishing. Moreover, when spreading happens, we give an estimate for the asymptotic spreading speed of the free boundary. These theoretical results may have important implications for prediction and prevention of biological invasions.     

Spreading and vanishing in a diffusive intraguild predation model with intraspecific competition and free boundary

This paper is concerned with the spreading and vanishing phenomena in a diffusive intraguild (IG) predation model with intraspecific competition and free boundary in one dimensional space. The main objective is to obtain the asymptotic behavior of spread of an invasive or new IG prey species via a free boundary. In two cases, we prove a spreading‐vanishing dichotomy for this model, specifically, the IG prey species either successfully spreads to infinity as t→∞ at the front and survives in the new environment or spreads within a bounded area and dies out in the long run. The long time behavior of (R,N,P) and criteria for spreading and vanishing are also obtained. And then, we estimate the asymptotic spreading speed of the free boundary when spreading happens. Besides, two numerical examples are given to illustrate the impacts of initial occupying area and expanding capability on the free boundary.     

On some free boundary problems of the prey–predator model

In this paper we investigate some free boundary problems for the Lotka–Volterra type prey–predator model in one space dimension. The main objective is to understand the asymptotic behavior of the two species (prey and predator) spreading via a free boundary. We prove a spreading–vanishing dichotomy, namely the two species either successfully spread to the entire space as time t goes to infinity and survive in the new environment, or they fail to establish and die out in the long run. The long time behavior of solution and criteria for spreading and vanishing are also obtained. Finally, when spreading successfully, we provide an estimate to show that the spreading speed (if exists) cannot be faster than the minimal speed of traveling wavefront solutions for the prey–predator model on the whole real line without a free boundary.     

Spreading in space–time periodic media governed by a monostable equation with free boundaries,Part 2: Spreading speed

This is Part 2 of our work aimed at classifying the long-time behavior of the solution to a free boundary problem with monostable reaction term in space–time periodic media. In Part 1 (see [2]) we have established a theory on the existence and uniqueness of solutions to this free boundary problem with continuous initial functions, as well as a spreading-vanishing dichotomy. We are now able to develop the methods of Weinberger [15], [16] and others [6], [7], [8], [9], [10] to prove the existence of asymptotic spreading speed when spreading happens, without knowing a priori the existence of the corresponding semi-wave solutions of the free boundary problem. This is a completely different approach from earlier works on the free boundary model, where the spreading speed is determined by firstly showing the existence of a corresponding semi-wave. Such a semi-wave appears difficult to obtain by the earlier approaches in the case of space–time periodic media considered in our work here.     

Dynamics for a Nonlocal Reaction-Diffusion Population Model with a Free Boundary

In this paper we focus on a nonlocal reaction-diffusion population model. Such a model can be used to describe a single species which is diffusing, aggregating, reproducing and competing for space and resources, with the free boundary representing the expanding front. The main objective is to understand the influence of the nonlocal term in the form of an integral convolution on the dynamics of the species. Precisely, when the species successfully spreads into infinity as \(t\rightarrow \infty \), it is proved that the species stabilizes at a positive equilibrium state under rather mild conditions. Furthermore, we obtain a upper bound for the spreading of the expanding front.

     

A free boundary problem for Aedes aegypti mosquito invasion

An advection–reaction–diffusion model with free boundary is proposed to investigate the invasive process of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. By analyzing the free boundary problem, we show that there are two main scenarios of invasive regime: vanishing regime or spreading regime, depending on a threshold in terms of model parameters. Once the mortality rate of the mosquito becomes large with a small specific rate of maturation, the invasive mosquito will go extinct. By introducing the definition of asymptotic spreading speed to describe the spreading front, we provide an estimate to show that the boundary moving speed cannot be faster than the minimal traveling wave speed. By numerical simulations, we consider that the mosquitoes invasive ability and wind driven advection effect on the boundary moving speed. The greater the mosquito invasive ability or advection, the larger the boundary moving speed. Our results indicate that the mosquitoes asymptotic spreading speed can be controlled by modulating the invasive ability of winged mosquitoes.     

A diffusive Lotka–Volterra model with Robin boundary condition and sign-changing growth rates in time-periodic environment

In this paper, a Lotka–Volterra model with Robin and free boundary conditions is considered in the heterogeneous time-periodic environment. We mainly consider the changes of local growth rates of native and invasive species that might be negative in some large regions. We study the spreading–vanishing dichotomy. When vanishing occurs, a native species cannot spread successfully as time goes to infinity. However, for an invasive species, in the long run, either it will go extinct or converge to the unique positive solution of time-periodic boundary value problem of logistic equation. When spreading occurs, both native and invasive species have upper and lower bounds. We also obtain the criteria for spreading and vanishing, and estimate of the asymptotic spreading speed.     

Numerical solution of a hyperbolic free boundary problem with a method of characteristics

Summary For a free boundary problem for a linear hyperbolic system in one space dimension with two unknowns we discuss a numerical algorithm which combines the method of characteristics and the front tracking method. We prove quadratic resp. linear convergence and illustrate this with numerical examples.     

Asymptotic spreading of KPP reactive fronts in incompressible space–time random flows

We study the asymptotic spreading of Kolmogorov–Petrovsky–Piskunov (KPP) fronts in space–time random incompressible flows in dimension d>1$d>1$. We prove that if the flow field is stationary, ergodic, and obeys a suitable moment condition, the large time front speeds (spreading rates) are deterministic in all directions for compactly supported initial data. The flow field can become unbounded at large times. The front speeds are characterized by the convex rate function governing large deviations of the associated diffusion in the random flow. Our proofs are based on the Harnack inequality, an application of the sub-additive ergodic theorem, and the construction of comparison functions. Using the variational principles for the front speed, we obtain general lower and upper bounds of front speeds in terms of flow statistics. The bounds show that front speed enhancement in incompressible flows can grow at most linearly in the root mean square amplitude of the flows, and may have much slower growth due to rapid temporal decorrelation of the flows.     

On a reaction–advection–diffusion equation with Robin and free boundary conditions

ABSTRACT

A reaction–advection–diffusion equation with variable intrinsic growth rate, Robin and free boundary conditions is investigated in this paper. Firstly, we present a spreading–vanishing dichotomy for the asymptotic behavior of the solutions of the equation. Then, we obtain criteria for spreading and vanishing, and get an estimate for the asymptotic spreading speed of the spreading front. Moreover, numerical simulation is also given to illustrate the impact of the expansion capacity on the free boundary.     

Dynamics for a nonlocal competition system with a free boundary

In this paper, we investigate a nonlocal reaction–diffusion competition model with a free boundary and discuss the long time behavior of species. The main objective is to understand the effect of the nonlocal term in the form of an integral convolution on the dynamics of competing species. Specially, for the weak competition case, when spreading occurs, we provide some sufficient conditions to prove that two competing species stabilize at a positive constant equilibrium state. Furthermore, for the case of successful spreading, we estimate the asymptotic spreading speed of the free boundary.     

Spreading and generalized propagating speeds of discrete KPP models in time varying environments

The current paper deals with spatial spreading and front propagating dynamics for spatially discrete KPP (Kolmogorov, Petrovsky and Paskunov) models in time recurrent environments, which include time periodic and almost periodic environments as special cases. The notions of spreading speed interval, generalized propagating speed interval, and traveling wave solutions are first introduced, which are proper modifications of those introduced for spatially continuous KPP models in time almost periodic environments. Among others, it is then shown that the spreading speed interval in a given direction is the minimal generalized propagating speed interval in that direction. Some important upper and lower bounds for the spreading and generalized propagating speed intervals are provided. When the environment is unique ergodic and the so called linear determinacy condition is satisfied, it is shown that the spreading speed interval in any direction is a singleton (called the spreading speed), which equals the classical spreading speed if the environment is actually periodic. Moreover, in such a case, a variational principle for the spreading speed is established and it is shown that there is a front of speed c in a given direction if and only if c is greater than or equal to the spreading speed in that direction.      

Spatial-temporal risk index and transmission of a nonlocal dengue model

The nonlocal incidence and free boundaries are introduced into a classic SIR-SI model describing the transmission dynamics of dengue fever, where the nonlocal incidence allows for interactions of susceptible population at a given location with infected mosquitoes in the whole area, and free boundaries represent the expanding front of the area contaminated by dengue virus. We derive a spatial–temporal risk index in terms of the basic reproduction number, which depends on the nonlocal incidence and time variable. More importantly, we explore the relationships between different model variants regarding these risk indices. We additionally find sufficient conditions to ensure the vanishing and spreading of dengue fever, and demonstrate, for a special case, the asymptotic behavior of its solution when spreading occurs. Finally, we carry out numerical simulations to demonstrate our analytical findings and further provide their epidemiological explanations.     

Global classical solutions for a free-boundary problem modeling combustion of solid propellants

We study a free-boundary problem for the heat equation in one space dimension, describing the burning of a semi-infinite adiabatic solid propellant subjected to external thermal radiation (typically, a laser). The model includes the presence on the moving solid-gas interface (the free boundary) of heat release, due both to propellant degradation and conductive heat feedback from the gas phase reactions. The pyrolysis law and the flame submodel, relating burning rate to the boundary temperature and the heat feedback, respectively, satisfy general and physically significant conditions. We prove existence and uniqueness of a classical solution, local in time, for continuous initial thermal profiles. In addition, if the initial datum is exponentially bounded at infinity, we derive the main result of existence in the large and some uniform bounds for the solution.     

Life–span of classocal solutions to fully nonlinear wave equations

In an unified and simple way we get lower bounds of the life-span of classical solutions to the Cauchy problems for fully nonlinear wave equaitons of the for_m kappav;_u=F(u,Du,D_xDu) for the space dimension n 3     

Global existence of classical solutions to a cross-diffusion predator–prey system with a free boundary

This paper is concerned with a cross-diffusion predator–prey system with a free boundary over a one-dimensional habitat. The free boundary shows the spreading front of the prey and predator which implies that the velocity of the expanding front is proportional to the gradients of the prey and predator. By the contraction mapping principle, \(L^{p}\) estimates and Schauder estimates of parabolic equations, the local and global existence and uniqueness of classical solutions are established for this system.     

A hyperbolic free boundary problem existence uniqueness and discretization

For a one phase free boundary problem for a linear hyperbolic system with constant coefficients in one space dimension with nonlinear boundary conditions we prove existence, uniqueness and continuous dependence of a Lipschitz continuous solution using the method of characteristics. A semidiscrete version of front tracking is shown to be linearly convergent.     

Dynamics and steady-state analysis of a consumer-resource model

This paper is concerned with the dynamics of a consumer-resource reaction diffusion model in the heterogeneous environment, proposed by Zhang et al. (2017). We use the comparison principle to improve the ultimate bounds step by step, and show that the unique steady state is globally asymptotically stable if the resources are fully limited uniformly in space and consumer population abundance is homogeneous in space.