1 − A n + n 0 ≥ 1 3
The Allee effect is used to model the infection rate as a function of population density, where it represents a lower transmission probability in less densely populated regions. We adopt the effect and bound it from below by 1⁄3. This ensures that the effect is at most three times lower in sparsely populated areas than in regions with high population density. To enforce the lower bound, we apply a shift n₀ in the Allee term. We choose n₀ = ³⁄₂·A.
Allee effects are classified by the nature of density dependence at low densities. If the population shrinks for low densities, there is a strong Allee effect. If the proliferation rate is positive and increasing then there is a weak Allee effect. The null hypothesis is that proliferation rates are positive but decreasing at low densities.
Allee effect
effect to model the infection rate as a function of population density