Complex dynamics in multistable systems

The coexistence of several stable states for a given set of parameters has been observed in many natural and experimental systems as well as in theoretical models. This paper gives an overview over the wide range of applications in different disciplines of science. Furthermore, different system classes possessing multistability are analyzed in terms of the appearance of coexisting attractors and their basins of attraction. It is shown that multistable systems are very sensitive to perturbations leading to a noise-induced hopping process between attractors. The role of chaotic saddles in the escape from attractors in multistable systems is discussed.