I explore tools and applications of the van Kampen expansion of the stochastic master equation in several areas of population biology. I highlight fluctuation-dissipation and fluctuation-enhancement regimes, using information from noise to help model choice, and examples where noise changes the macroscopic dynamics of a system.
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Reading the Secrets of Biological Fluctuations
1. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
Reading the Secrets of Biological Fluctuations
Carl Boettiger
UC Davis
June 27, 2008
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 1/21
2. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
1 Noisy Biology
2 Fluctuation Regimes
3 Model Choice
4 Macroscopic Phenomena
5 Fluctuation Dominance
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 2/21
3. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
Why study 鍖uctuations?
Biology is noisy and we want to understand it.
Stochasticity can drive phenomena we would miss in
deterministic models.
Fluctuations hold the key to deeper biological understanding?
Grenfell et al. (1998) Nature
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 3/21
4. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
Variables at the Macroscopic and Individual Levels
Deterministic models describe macroscopic behavior
Individual based model are described by transition rates
between states a Markov process
Macroscopic variable is independent of details of system
(intensive), i.e. population density
Individual-based variable n depends on system size
(extensive), i.e. population number
In a given area with a macroscopic density , wed expect
to 鍖nd n = on average, which is more accurate with
larger .
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 4/21
5. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
Theory of Fluctuations
Markov process Linear Noise Approximation
1/2
= n = ο+ 両=
Fundamental Equations
d
= 留1,0 ()+留1,0 () 2 (1)
dt
d 2
= 2留1,0 () 2 + 留2,0 () (2)
dt
留1,0 () = b() d(), 留2,0 = b() + d()
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 5/21
6. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
1 Noisy Biology
2 Fluctuation Regimes
3 Model Choice
4 Macroscopic Phenomena
5 Fluctuation Dominance
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 6/21
7. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
Distinct Fluctuation Regimes
dn n n n
=c 1 e
dt | N {z N } |{z}N
bn dn
d 2
= 2留1,0 () 2 + 留2,0 ()
dt
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 7/21
8. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
Near Equilibrium: Fluctuation Dissipation Regime
In the dissipation regime, 鍖uctuations exponentially relax to the
equilibrium level
b(n)+d(n)
2 =
2[d (n)b (n)]
N = 1000, e = 0.2,
c=1
e
n = N 1 c = 800
2 = N c = 200
e
Dots are simulation
averages, lines are
theoretical prediction
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 8/21
9. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
Fluctuation Enhancement
With an initial condition starting deep in the enhancement regime,
鍖uctuations grow exponentially. At N = 400, dissipation takes over
and 鍖uctuations return to the same equilibrium as before.
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 9/21
10. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
1 Noisy Biology
2 Fluctuation Regimes
3 Model Choice
4 Macroscopic Phenomena
5 Fluctuation Dominance
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 10/21
11. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
Which model best describes this data?
dn n n n
=c 1 e
dt | N {z N } |{z}
N
bn dn
dn rn2
= |{z}
rn
dt K
bn
|{z}
dn
. . . and why does it matter?
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 11/21
12. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
Using the Information Hidden in the Fluctuations
1 Independently parameterize
birth & death rates, see which is
density dependent Predicted 鍖uctuations
2 Works with single realization at
equilibrium
3 With replicates: The dynamic
equations can determine
functions b(n) and d(n)
4 Uses more information to inform
model choice
5 Can discount weights of points
from high-variance regions when
model-鍖tting
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 12/21
13. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
1 Noisy Biology
2 Fluctuation Regimes
3 Model Choice
4 Macroscopic Phenomena
5 Fluctuation Dominance
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 13/21
14. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
Stochastic Corrections: De鍖ation and In鍖ation
d
留1,0 () < 0 = Fluctuations = 留1,0 ()+留1,0 () 2
dt
suppress the average relative to
the deterministic approximation.
Our theory accurately predicts
the extent of this e鍖ect.
Recall 留2,0 = bn + dn controls
the magnitude of this e鍖ect.
Ecological and evolutionary
consequences for when
variability is favorable?
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 14/21
15. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
Fluctuation Phenomena: De鍖ation
dn n n n
=c 1 e
dt | N {z N } |{z}N
bn dn
d
= 留1,0 ()+留1,0 () 2
dt
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 15/21
16. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
1 Noisy Biology
2 Fluctuation Regimes
3 Model Choice
4 Macroscopic Phenomena
5 Fluctuation Dominance
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 16/21
17. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
Fluctuation Dominance
Far from equilibrium, enhancement can expand the 鍖uctuations
until they reach the macroscopic scale.
Variance equation fails dramatically
Mean trajectory need not follow the deterministic trajectory
Bimodal distribution of trajectories can emerge
Conjecture: occurs when neighborhood exists for which
留1,0 0 and 留1,0 0
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 17/21
18. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
Breakdown of the approximation
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 18/21
19. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
Breakdown of the Canonical Equation of Adaptive
Dynamics
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 19/21
20. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
Further Topics
This approach can be applied to a variety of stochastic processes in
biology. . .
The multivariate theory: multiple species or age structured
populations. Predicts covariances as well.
Macroevolutionary theory: inferring speciation and
extinction rates from phylogenetic trees
Adaptive dynamics: quantifying uncertainty in the canonical
equation, correcting for 鍖uctuations.
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 20/21
21. Noisy Biology Fluctuation Regimes Model Choice Macroscopic Phenomena Fluctuation Dominance
Acknowledgments
Advisors & Advice
Alan Hastings
Joshua Weitz
Many here for helpful
discussions!
Funding
DOE CSGF
UC Davis Population
Biology Graduate Group
Carl Boettiger, UC Davis Biological Fluctuations 21/21