Numerical integration of fully nonlinear size-structured population models

Characteristics' schemes of second order are introduced for the numerical solution of size-structured population models. The models are fully nonlinear: all the vital functions (growth, mortality and fertility rates) depend on the total population. The schemes are completely analysed: consistency, stability, existence and convergence are established. Some numerical experiments are also reported in order to show numerically the results proved in our analysis and to study the efficiency of a selection nodes technique. (C) 2004 IMACS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.