A BGK‐penalization‐based asymptotic‐preserving scheme for the multispecies Boltzmann equation

An asymptotic‐preserving (AP) scheme is efficient in solving multiscale problems where kinetic and hydrodynamic regimes coexist. In this article, we extend the BGK‐penalization‐based AP scheme, originally introduced by Filbet and Jin for the single species Boltzmann equation (Filbet and Jin, J Comput Phys 229 (2010) 7625–7648), to its multispecies counterpart. For the multispecies Boltzmann equation, the new difficulties arise due to: (1) the breaking down of the conservation laws for each species and (2) different convergence rates to equilibria for different species in disparate masses systems. To resolve these issues, we find a suitable penalty function—the local Maxwellian that is based on the mean velocity and mean temperature and justify various asymptotic properties of this method. This AP scheme does not contain any nonlinear nonlocal implicit solver, yet it can capture the fluid dynamic limit with time step and mesh size independent of the Knudsen number. Numerical examples demonstrate the correct asymptotic‐behavior of the scheme. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2013     

STOCHASTIC OPTIMIZATION FOR MULTISPECIES FISHERIES IN THE BARENTS SEA

We present a multispecies stochastic model that suggests optimal fishing policy for two species in a three‐species predator–prey ecosystem in the Barents Sea. We employ stochastic dynamic programming to solve a three‐dimensional model, in which the catch is optimized by using a multispecies feedback strategy. Applying the model to the cod, capelin, and herring ecosystem in the Barents Sea shows that the optimal catch for the stochastic interaction model is more conservative than that implied by the deterministic model. We also find that stochasticity has a stronger effect on the optimal exploitation policy for prey (capelin) than for predator (cod).     

ON THE OPTIMAL POLICY FOR COMBINING HARVESTING OF PREDATOR AND PREY

An optimal policy is sought for maximizing present value from the combined harvest of two ecologically dependent species, which would coexist as predator and prey in the absence of harvesting. Harvest rate for each species is assumed proportional to both stock level and effort. For a large class of biological productivity functions, it is established that the optimal equilibrium point in the phase-plane of stock levels must be a saddle-point. For quadratic productivity functions, a combination of analytical reasoning and numerical experiment is used to show that first and second order necessary conditions for optimality are satisfied by a unique approach to equilibrium, which must therefore be optimal. The corresponding control law is given, and an apparent suggestion of two previous authors concerning the policy is shown to be inappropriate. The optimal policy enables an estimate to be made of the true loss of resource value due to a catastrophic fall in stock level.     

Asymptotical stability of almost periodic solution for an impulsive multispecies competition–predation system with time delays on time scales

In this paper, we consider the almost periodic dynamics of an impulsive multispecies Lotka–Volterra competition system with time delays on time scales. By establishing some comparison theorems of dynamic equations with impulses and delays on time scales, a permanence result for the model is obtained. Furthermore, based on the permanence result, by studying the Lyapunov stability theory of impulsive dynamic equations on time scales, we establish the existence and uniformly asymptotic stability of a unique positive almost periodic solution of the system. Finally, we give an example to show the feasibility of our main results, and our example also shows that the continuous time system and its corresponding discrete time system have the same dynamics. Our results of this paper are completely new even if for both the case of the time scale and the case of the time scale . Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CHARACTERIZING SPECIES DISTRIBUTIONS BY PRODUCTIVITY AND MORTALITY RATES IN MULTISPECIES MODELS

Abstract The temporal change in species composition is one dimension that may be used to characterize ecosystems. Multispecies interactions and species abundance (or biomass) distributions can be analyzed by an N‐species Lotka–Volterra (LV) system of equations. We derive a statistical approximation to the stationary probability distribution of relative species biomass for a system of interacting species. The distribution is parameterized by the mean and variance of the LV species interaction coefficients and can exhibit a variety of shapes. Given this distribution, one can describe the state of the system, and subsequent perturbations within the system, in terms of shifts in the resulting stable distribution. Theoretical distributions with known properties were compared to distributions estimated from simulations and good agreement was found. Our analytical result could be used to develop “ecosystem indicators” for describing changes in the state of species within an ecosystem.     

Polynomial viscosity methods for multispecies kinematic flow models

Multispecies kinematic flow models are defined by systems of strongly coupled, nonlinear first‐order conservation laws. They arise in various applications including sedimentation of polydisperse suspensions and multiclass vehicular traffic. Their numerical approximation is a challenge since the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the corresponding flux Jacobian matrix have no closed algebraic form. It is demonstrated that a recently introduced class of fast first‐order finite volume solvers, called polynomial viscosity matrix (PVM) methods [M. J. Castro Díaz and E. Fernández‐Nieto, SIAM J Sci Comput 34 (2012), A2173–A2196], can be adapted to multispecies kinematic flows. PVM methods have the advantage that they only need some information about the eigenvalues of the flux Jacobian, and no spectral decomposition of a Roe matrix is needed. In fact, the so‐called interlacing property (of eigenvalues with known velocity functions), which holds for several important multispecies kinematic flow models, provides sufficient information for the implementation of PVM methods. Several variants of PVM methods (differing in polynomial degree and the underlying quadrature formula to approximate the Roe matrix) are compared by numerical experiments. It turns out that PVM methods are competitive in accuracy and efficiency with several existing methods, including the Harten, Lax, and van Leer method and a spectral weighted essentially non‐oscillatory scheme that is based on the same interlacing property. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 32: 1265–1288, 2016     

Ion-acoustic solitons in multispecies spatially inhomogeneous plasmas

Ion-acoustic solitons are investigated in the spatially inhomogeneous plasma having electrons-positrons and ions. The soliton characteristics are described by Korteweg-de Vries equation which has an additional term. The density and temperature of different species play an important role for the amplitude and width of the solitons. Numerical calculations show only the possibility of compressive solitons. Further, analytical results predict that the peak amplitude of soliton decreases with the decrease of density gradient. Soliton characteristics like peak amplitude and width are substantially different from those based on KdV theory for homogeneous plasmas     

A PREDICTIVE MODEL TO INFORM ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT OF DOUBLE‐CRESTED CORMORANTS AND FISHERIES IN MICHIGAN

The proliferation of double‐crested cormorants (DCCOs; Phalacrocorax auritus) in North America has raised concerns over their potential negative impacts on game, cultured and forage fishes, island and terrestrial resources, and other colonial water birds, leading to increased public demands to reduce their abundance. By combining fish surplus production and bird functional feeding response models, we developed a deterministic predictive model representing bird–fish interactions to inform an adaptive management process for the control of DCCOs in multiple colonies in Michigan. Comparisons of model predictions with observations of changes in DCCO numbers under management measures implemented from 2004 to 2012 suggested that our relatively simple model was able to accurately reconstruct past DCCO population dynamics. These comparisons helped discriminate among alternative parameterizations of demographic processes that were poorly known, especially site fidelity. Using sensitivity analysis, we also identified remaining critical uncertainties (mainly in the spatial distributions of fish vs. DCCO feeding areas) that can be used to prioritize future research and monitoring needs. Model forecasts suggested that continuation of existing control efforts would be sufficient to achieve long‐term DCCO control targets in Michigan and that DCCO control may be necessary to achieve management goals for some DCCO‐impacted fisheries in the state. Finally, our model can be extended by accounting for parametric or ecological uncertainty and including more complex assumptions on DCCO–fish interactions as part of the adaptive management process.     

Statistical Properties of Multispecies Competition Ecosystems Subjected to Dichotomous Noises

We investigate statistical properties of multispecies competition ecosystems subjected to both symmetric and asymmetric dichotomous noises. The expression of the stationary probability distribution function (SPDF) is analytically derived by means of mean-field approximation, and verified bystochastic simulations. The results indicate that: (i) A noiseamplitude (a₀), a noise autocorrelation time (τ₀) and a noise symmetry parameter (k) all can affect the SPDF; (ii) There is an optimal τ₀, which makes the mean value of population density be maximal, near which a transition takes place, i.e., the stationary mean value of species density (_st) suddenly falls to a lower constant; (iii) As k decreases, the maximum of< x>_st and the optimal τ₀ increase. The parameter planes of τ₀-a₀² and τ₀-k for the transition are plotted.