Small population effects in stochastic population dynamics.
The discreteness of units of small populations can produce large fluctuations from a classical continuous representation, especially when null populations play a crucial role. These belong to what are here referred to as emergent and evanescent species. A few model biological systems are introduced in which this is the case, as well as a toy model that suggests a path to avoid the associated mathematical complexities. The corresponding division into null and non-null population sectors is carried out to leading order for the model systems, with promising results.
Percus
Jerome K
JK
Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, 251 Mercer Street, New York, NY 10012, USA. percus@cims.nyu.edu
D017753:Ecosystem; D008954:Models, Biological; D011157:Population Dynamics; D013269:Stochastic Processes