Phase-space analysis of large ODE systems using a low-dimensional conservation law

Abstract

Simultaneous deterministic and weakly stochastic dynamics of multiple populations described by a large system of ODE's is considered in the phase space of population sizes and ODE's parameters. We show that many practically interesting problems can be formulated as a low-dimensional phase-space conservation law and solved either explicitly or with simple iterative methods. In particular, we consider: non-interacting populations with unbounded and logistic growth, populations with randomized and biased migration, populations competing for a resource, coexisting species, and populations with phase-space interactions. The method provides an alternative to Monte Carlo simulations and may be useful in the fast analysis of biological data and/or removal of deterministic trends.