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Mathematical modeling of population dynamics with Allee effect

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Abstract

Allee effect that refers to a positive relationship between individual fitness and population density provides an important conceptual framework in conservation biology. While declining Allee effect causes reduction in extinction risk in low-density population, it provides a benefit in limiting establishment success or spread of invading species. Population models that incorporated Allee effect confer the fundamental role which plays for shaping the population dynamics. In particular, non-spatial predator–prey and invasion models have shown the influence of Allee effects on population dynamics, and spatial models have illustrated its critical roles for pattern formation and the manifestation of traveling wave fronts. We highlight all such no-spatial and spatial population models and their contributions in deeper understanding of population dynamics. In addition, we briefly outline the trends for future research on Allee effect which we think are interesting and widely open.

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Acknowledgments

The project is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 11301490, 131 Talents of Shanxi University, Program for the Outstanding Innovative Teams (OIT) of Higher Learning Institutions of Shanxi and International Exchange Program of Postdoctor in Fudan University.

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  1. Complex Systems Research Center, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, Shanxi, People’s Republic of China

    Gui-Quan Sun

  2. School of Mathematical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China

    Gui-Quan Sun

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Sun, GQ. Mathematical modeling of population dynamics with Allee effect. Nonlinear Dyn 85, 1–12 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11071-016-2671-y

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