Optimal Control of Integrodifference Population Models
Suzanne Lenhart
Department of Mathematics
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Abstract
Integrodifference equations are models that are discrete in time and continous in space.
These equations model populations with discrete generations with separate growth and dis-
persal stages. The dispersal is modeled by an integral of the population density (after the
growth) against a kernel. Optimal control of such a hybrid equation is a new area and in-
volves a combination of the techniques from the discrete version of Pontryagin’s Maximum
Principle and from control of partial differential equations. Analysis and characterization of
an optimal harvesting control will be given using an adjoint equation. Numerical algorithms
and illustrations will be included for a variety of dispersal kernels and growth functions.
Converted from 2006-09-22.pdf (PDF).