Spreading speeds and monostable waves in a reaction-diffusion model with nonlinear competition (Q2668935)

The authors study the cooperative Lotka-Volterra system with nonlinear competition \begin{align*} u_t&=u_{xx}+(1-u)(a_1v^2-u) \\ v_t&=dv_{xx}+rv(1-v-a_2(1-u)^2) \quad \text{in }\mathbb{R}\times (0,\infty), \end{align*} where \(r\), \(d\), \(a_1\), \(a_2\) are positive constants satisfying \(a_1>1\), \(a_2<\frac{1}{3}\). First, the minimal wave speed for traveling waves \(\overline{c}_+\) is calculated, which coincides with the single rightward spreading speed of the solution semiflow. Second, the linear speed \(c_0=2\sqrt{dr(1-a_2)}\) is detected from the linearized wave profile system. Then, selection mechanism of the minimal wave speed is defined, that is, linear and nonlinear selections according as the minimal wave speed is equal to and greater than \(c_0\), respectively. General criteria for these properties are derived, which prescribe the parameter region of this model for these selections. Finally, comparison to the Lotka-Volterra model with linear competition is discussed.