Maximizing the Spread of Cascades Using Network Design

TL;DR

This paper presents a new optimization framework using mixed integer programming to enhance cascade spread in networks, with applications in conservation planning, offering solutions with stochastic optimality guarantees.

Contribution

It introduces a novel MIP-based approach to optimize cascade spread by network modification, combining network design and stochastic optimization techniques.

Findings

Solutions with stochastic optimality guarantees

Conservation strategies that differ from naive approaches

Effective network modifications for cascade maximization

Abstract

We introduce a new optimization framework to maximize the expected spread of cascades in networks. Our model allows a rich set of actions that directly manipulate cascade dynamics by adding nodes or edges to the network. Our motivating application is one in spatial conservation planning, where a cascade models the dispersal of wild animals through a fragmented landscape. We propose a mixed integer programming (MIP) formulation that combines elements from network design and stochastic optimization. Our approach results in solutions with stochastic optimality guarantees and points to conservation strategies that are fundamentally different from naive approaches.