Global dynamics of triangular maps (Q2447081)

The authors investigate triangular maps \(f:I^N\to I^N\), \[ f(x_1,\dots,x_N)=(f_1(x_1), f_2(x_1,x_2),\dots, f_N(x_1,\dots,x_N)), \] where \(I\) is a compact interval. Under natural conditions it is shown that every forward orbit of such a mapping converges to a fixed point if and only if there is no periodic orbit of prime period \(2\). This allows to conclude global stability results of the following form: If there are no periodic orbits of prime period \(2\) and the triangular map has a unique fixed point, then this fixed point is globally asymptotically stable. Finally, several examples and applications to competition models are given.