A non-linear degenerate equation for direct aggregation and traveling wave dynamics (Q964048)

In this paper the direct aggregation phenomenon of individuals of one species living in an one-dimensional habitat is investigated by applying the theory of diffusive models. More precisely, the authors use a random walk approach to build a general model, described by the degenerate reaction-aggregation equation \[ \frac{\partial u}{\partial t}=\frac{\partial }{\partial x}\left[D(u)\frac{\partial u}{\partial x}\right]+g(u),\quad (x,t)\in \mathbb{R}\times\mathbb R^+, \tag{1} \] where the functions \(D, g: [0,1]\rightarrow\mathbb R\) are subject to appropriate differentiability conditions. The existence of travelling wave solutions \(u(x,t)=\varphi(x-ct)\) of (1) is investigated for \(D(u)\leq 0\) (negative diffusion equation). This type of equations describes relatively simple direct aggregation models, but encounters problems with ill-posedness. The considered function \(g\) describes a logistic-like growth rate. Numerical simulations on the phase portrait of the travelling wave variables are included. Furthermore, numerical solutions are presented for a couple of initial and boundary value problems associated with two nonlinear equations with the density dependent diffusion term being less than or equal to zero and the reactive part describing logistic growth. The well- and ill-posedness of certain boundary conditions associated with purely negative diffusion equations are also discussed. By investigating certain variants of (1) the authors make comparisons with previous related models and also point out the extensions and improvements achieved. The derivations of this paper are motivated by the work of \textit{P. Turchin} [J. Animal. Ecol. 58, 75--100 (1989)], while the related extensions and essential differences in the assumptions are discussed. The corresponding analysis for the case of a density dependent diffusion coefficient changing sign is proposed as a challenging problem for future investigations.