\(n\)-dimensional ratio-dependent predator-prey systems with diffusion (Q2378772)

The author formulates and investigates under what conditions Turing stability or instability occurs in higher dimensions in a ratio-dependent ecological system with diffusion in which \(n\) different predator species are competing for a single prey species. The functional response is of ratio-dependent type, which can be for example a Holling or an Ivlev type one. Both species are subject to Fickian diffusion in a one dimensional spatial habitat from which and into which there is no migration. It is assumed that the system has a positive equilibrium in the positive quadrant. If this equilibrium is outside of the Allee-effect zone - i.e. in a neighbourhood of the equilibrium the increase of prey density is not beneficial to the prey's growth rate - and the interaction matrix of the kinetic system is sign-stable then the equilibrium point remains locally asymptotically stable for any diffusion rate of species. If this equilibrium is in a neighbourhood of the equilibrium the increase of prey density is beneficial to prey's growth rate and obviously the interaction matrix of the kinetic system is not sign-stable but it has a special sign-pattern, and then, the equilibrium point remains locally asymptotically stable if the prey diffusion rate is relatively high compared to the square of the length of the spatial domain for any diffusion rate of predator species. If the prey diffusion rate is lower, then, one may increase the predator diffusion rate to a value at which equilibrium loses its stability. The equilibrium point considered as an equilibrium of the system without diffusion stays stable and a so called diffusional instability occurs quite naturally, contrary to the general belief that diffusion usually stabilize systems.