Numerical analogues of the Kodaira dimension and the abundance conjecture (Q309256)

Let \(X\) be a normal complex projective variety, and let \(D\) be a divisor (with real coefficients) on \(X\). We say that \(D\) is pseudoeffective if its cohomology class lies in the closure of the cone generated by the effective divisors. Since pseudoeffective divisors very often do not admit any global sections, even after passing to positive multiples, the Kodaira dimension of \(D\) is not very representative of its positivity properties. The cohomology classes given by the self-intersections \(D^k\) define a useful invariant only in the case where \(D\) is nef. This basic problem has led to a large variety of definitions for the numerical dimension of a pseudoeffective divisor over the last years (cf. [\textit{N. Nakayama}, Zariski-decomposition and abundance. Tokyo: Mathematical Society of Japan (2004; Zbl 1061.14018)], [\textit{S. Boucksom} et al., J. Algebr. Geom. 22, No. 2, 201--248 (2013; Zbl 1267.32017)]). In this paper the author shows that most of these definitions lead to the same invariant, thereby completing work initiated by \textit{B. Lehmann} [Algebra Number Theory 7, No. 5, 1065--1100 (2013; Zbl 1281.14006)]. As a consequence one can control the behaviour of the numerical dimension under birational morphisms, a situation that frequently appears in the context of the minimal model program.