Ursula Trigos-Raczkowski

How competing species coexist remains a major challenge in theoretical and mathematical ecology. Size-structure, disturbance, and the subsequent progression of competitive dynamics have been posited as creating opportunities for coexistence. I study simple PDE models which account for competitive dynamics and/or size-structure while remaining analytically tractable in many cases. I present conditions for feasible coexistence (both species have positive populations) and ‘stable’ coexistence in the sense of mutual positive long-term invasion. I confirm the results using numerical methods.