A stochastic model of population growth with resource limitation

• Grant number: 18/13032-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2018
• End date: September 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics
• Principal Investigator: Leonardo Paulo Maia
• Grantee: Luis Rodrigo Torres Neves
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In this project, we introduce a stochasatic, individual-based model of population growth of a single species, in which intraspecific competition comes from limitation of resources ("food"). Differences in supply delivery among individuals is modeled by heterogeneities in their lifetimes. The specific rules of individual behavior are relatively simple and preliminary simulations have shown that the model produces an expected collective behavior, with stochastic fluctuations around a steady state. Thus, we expect that it will be possible to reproduce logistic behavior under certain limits. Our approach seems to be different enough of previous studies to justify further investigation. We intend to study such model mathematically, seeking for analytical results, though computational simulation might play an important role as an auxiliary tool.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

NEVES, LUIS R. T.; MAIA, LEONARDO PAULO. A simple individual-based population growth model with limited resources. PHYSICA A-STATISTICAL MECHANICS AND ITS APPLICATIONS, v. 567, APR 1 2021. (18/13032-1)