Correlated Gaussian random walk models of animal dispersal

Abstract

A correlated Gaussian random walk(CGRW) model is proposed as a simple model of animal dispersal. The general features of CGRW is described. We will discuss how from this single model a number of different kinds of correlated random walk can be studied. The CGRWs in one dimension is studied in detail and the special limiting cases are discussed where the probability densities are found analytically. Numerical simulations are performed and the results are found to be in good agreement with the theoretical predictions. Directional persistence in CGRWs is discussed for the one dimensional cases. We will show that correlation does not always give rise to directional persistence.