Mean-Field Semantics for a Process Calculus for Spatially-Explicit Ecological Models

TL;DR

This paper introduces a mean-field semantics for S-PALPS, a process calculus for ecological models, enabling the approximation of large systems' average behavior through recurrence equations, demonstrated on a dengue transmission case study.

Contribution

It develops a novel mean-field semantics for S-PALPS, linking individual-based models to recurrence equations for large ecological systems.

Findings

Recurrence equations effectively approximate dengue transmission dynamics.

The semantics facilitate analysis of large spatially-explicit ecological models.

Application to dengue case study demonstrates practical utility.

Abstract

We define a mean-field semantics for S-PALPS, a process calculus for spatially-explicit, individual-based modeling of ecological systems. The new semantics of S-PALPS allows an interpretation of the average behavior of a system as a set of recurrence equations. Recurrence equations are a useful approximation when dealing with a large number of individuals, as it is the case in epidemiological studies. As a case study, we compute a set of recurrence equations capturing the dynamics of an individual-based model of the transmission of dengue in Bello (Antioquia), Colombia.