Bistability in a tri-trophic food chain model: Basin stability perspective

The most important issue of concern in a food chain is the stability of species and their nature of persistence against system parameter changes. For understanding the stable dynamics and their response against parameter perturbation, the local stability analysis is an insufficient tool. A global stability analysis by the conventional techniques seems to supplement some of the shortcomings, however, it becomes more challenging for multistable ecosystems. Either of the techniques fails to provide a complete description of the complexity in dynamics that may evolve in the system, especially, when there is any transition between the stable states. A tri-trophic resource-consumer-predator food chain model has been revisited here that shows bistability and transition to monostability via a border collision that leads to a state of predator extinction. Although earlier studies have partially revealed the dynamics of such transitions, we would like to present additional and precise information by analyzing the system from the perspective of basin stability. By drawing different bifurcation diagrams against three important parameters, using different initial conditions, we identify the range of parameter values within which the stability of the states persists and changes to various complex dynamics. We emphasize the changes in the geometry of the basins of attraction and get a quantitative estimate of the nature of relative changes in the area of the basins (basin stability) during the transitions. Furthermore, we demonstrate the presence of a down-up control, in addition to the conventional bottom-up and top-down control phenomena in the food chain. The application of basin stability in food networks will go a long way for accurate analysis of their dynamics. Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.

Automated summary

This study revisits a tri-trophic resource-consumer-predator food chain model, showing bistability and the transition to monostability through a border collision. The authors emphasize analyzing the system from the perspective of basin stability, providing additional and precise information, studying the range of stability states, and changes in the geometry of basins of attraction during transitions. Additionally, the presence of down-up control is demonstrated, in addition to traditional bottom-up and top-down control phenomena in the food chain.