An invariance principle for a class of monotone systems and application to degenerate parabolic equations (Q1121450)

By defining the notion of upper and lower Lyapunov operators, the authors develop a method of proving stabilization of solutions to a class of order preserving systems. The main abstract result they prove is an invariance principle, by which the Lyapunov operators take the same value on omega limit sets, and that value is an equilibrium. Then stabilization can be proved whenever the omega limit sets consists of equilibria (or even of super- subsolutions). The authors then apply their method to prove stabilization for a quasilinear parabolic equation in one space dimension, arising in the mathematical modelling of the movement of two populations with very different rates of mobility, which are governed by biological pressure. This application is interesting, since the considered equation is order preserving, but not strongly order preserving, thus displaying one of the advantages of the method.