A Stable Finite-Difference Scheme for Population Growth and Diffusion on a Map.

Petersen, W P; Callegari, S; Lake, G R; Tkachenko, N; Weissmann, J D; Zollikofer, Ch P E · PLoS One · 2017

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We describe a general Godunov-type splitting for numerical simulations of the Fisher-Kolmogorov-Petrovski-Piskunov growth and diffusion equation on a world map with Neumann boundary conditions. The procedure is semi-implicit, hence quite stable. Our principal application for this solver is modeling human population dispersal over geographical maps with changing paleovegetation and paleoclimate in the late Pleistocene. As a proxy for carrying capacity we use Net Primary Productivity (NPP) to predict times for human arrival in the Americas.

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