A diffusive predator-prey system with prey refuge and predator cannibalism (Q2160664)

The paper studies a diffusive (on a spatial bounded domain \(\Omega \in \mathbb{R}^n\) with smooth boundary) predator-prey PDE system with prey refuge and predator cannibalism, which adds spatial diffusion of both species and prey refuge to a previous ODE system model considered in [\textit{S. Chakraborty} and \textit{J. Chattopadhyay}, Dyn. Syst. 26, 13--22 (2011; Zbl 1218.92066)] and [\textit{C. Kohlmeier} and \textit{W. Ebenhöh}, Bull. Math. Biol. 57, 401--411 (1995; Zbl 0814.92016)]. Starting at time \(t=0\) with population sizes non-identically null over \(\Omega\) and using a comparison principle, the existence of a global positive solution on \(\bar{\Omega}\) is shown for all \(t>0\), essential bounds are found, and a sufficient condition for persistence of both populations is obtained. Then the local and global stability of constant steady states are investigated and conditions for Turing instability of the coexistence constant steady state are obtained, followed by some illustrative simulations in one-dimensional \(\Omega =[0,40]\). By establishing a maximum principle, the paper obtains sufficient conditions for existence and for non-existence of nonconstant positive steady state solutions. Working again with simulations on \(\Omega =[0,40]\) and using spatial averages of the two populations, the influence of prey refuge and of predator cannibalism is assessed. For example, it is shown that predator cannibalism may stabilize the predator-prey system and prevent the paradox of enrichment.