The effect of "very fast" strategies on two species competition

Abstract

We consider the effect of finite time extinction mechanisms (FTEM) such as (1) semi-linear harvesting terms, and (2) quasi-linear fast diffusion terms on two species Lokta-Volterra competition models. We show that these mechanisms can alter classical dynamics of competitive exclusion, and weak and strong competition by acting only on a \emph{small} portion of the weaker competitors' population, analogous to small defector populations in game theory \cite{DC23}. In particular, a stronger competitors population, with a few individuals dispersing (``defecting") very quickly, could exhibit bi-stability, as well as competitive exclusion \emph{reversal}. The non-linear harvesting is applied to aphid-soybean crop systems, wherein novel dynamics are observed. Applications to bio-control of invasive pests such as the soybean aphid are discussed.