| Abstract: | A numerical integration method is introduced for the class of hyperbolic partial differential equations that occur in physiologically structured population models. These equations describe the time evolution of the population density-function over the individual state-space Ω. Exploiting the biological interpretation of the equation, this density-function is represented by a set of moments over a collection of subdomains in Ω, moving along the characteristics of the partial differential equation (PDE). These moments are readily interpreted as numbers of individuals in a cohort, mean individual state in a cohort, etc. The numerical method consists of approximating the differential equations. The method appears to be very efficient for this special type of PDE. It combines such desirable properties as as lack of dispersion and dissipation and a preservation of monotonicity of the density function along the characteristics with a strong relation to the biological background of the equations for these moments to arrive at a closed system of ordinary differential equations. The method also allows one to incorporate the usual type of nonlinearities that occur in physiologically structured population models. A numerical example is presented as an illustration of the application of the method. |
