Is a nonlocal diffusion strategy convenient for biological populations in competition? (Q504066)

The authors consider a nonlocal dispersal strategy in a reaction-diffusion system with a fractional Laplacian operator. This model can be seen as an extension of the (scalar) Fisher-KPP equation with fractional diffusion, \[ u_t=-(-\Delta)^su+(\sigma-u)u, \] see, for example, [\textit{D. Stan} and \textit{J. L. Vázquez}, SIAM J. Math. Anal. 46, No. 5, 3241--3276 (2014; Zbl 1323.35088)]. In particular, they consider the linearization of a biological system that models the interaction of two competing species, one with local dispersion and the other with nonlocal. It is shown that there is a condition on the distribution of the resource in which the introduction of a new nonlocal dispersal behavior is favored over the local dispersal behavior of the resident population. An interesting example is also presented whereby the equilibrium for the local population becomes linearly unstable. This in turn suggests that there may be environmental factors that favor nonlocal strategies.