Copepod aggregations: influences of physics and collective behavior (Q2342073)

In this paper, the authors study a model for the spatio-temporal behavior of an ecological population (e.g. copepod in an ocean) which reads as \[ \partial_t b=\nabla\cdot (b\nabla\phi+K\nabla b)+\nabla\cdot F. \] Above, \(b\) is the sought-for density of the population, \(K\) is a diffusive constant, \(\phi=-C\frac{b}{1+b}\) is a drift potential modeling socio-tactic behaviour (social aggregation) and \(F\) is an external flux caused e.g. by shear or stirring processes from the surrounding fluid. The authors show by simulation that this model explains well the occurrence of large, high-density aggregation patches which also have been observed in reality. Purely physical processes may cause aggregation, but not to the extent observed. Thus, socio-behavioral processes have to be taken into account. The authors propose a ``multi-stage process'': First, social behaviour leads to small colonies of high density which are then brought together by turbulent flow. Those large-scale aggerations then are relatively stable thanks to social aggregation.