The influence of a line with fast diffusion on Fisher-KPP propagation (Q1944642)

A new model is proposed based on the consideration of the fast diffusion on a road (a straight line). Assume that the line is expressed as \(\{(x,0):x\in \mathbb{R}\}\), and the plane \(\mathbb{R}^2\) is referred as a field. The population density in the field is \(v(x,y,t)\) and population density on the road is \(u(x,t)\). Exchanges of populations take place between the road and the field: \(\nu v(x,0,t)\) joins the road and \(\mu u(x,t)\) goes in the field. The diffusion coefficients for the road and field are \(D\) and \(d\) respectively, with \(D\geq 0\), \(d, \mu,\nu>0\) are given. The authors derived the asymptotic speed of spreading in the direction of the line, and obtain the following results: for low diffusion \(D\leq 2d\), the line has no effect; if \(D>2d\), the line enhances global diffusion in the plane and the propagation is directed by the diffusion on the line. The model and results reveals the effects of the fast diffusion lines such roads on the spreading of invasion species.