Predator-prey system with a boundary-upstream protection zone in open advective environments

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Mathematical Biology
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• River ecosystems face threats to prey from unidirectional flow and habitat fragmentation.
• Generalist predators can dominate aquatic ecosystems, impacting prey populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dynamics of a predator-prey model with an upstream protection zone in advective environments.
• To determine critical thresholds for protection zone length and advection rates that ensure prey persistence and species coexistence.

Main Methods:

• Developed a generalist predator-prey model incorporating Holling-Type II functional response and an upstream protection zone.
• Utilized bifurcation analysis to study the existence and multiplicity of positive steady states.
• Analyzed the impact of variable advection rates, protection zone lengths, and predator carrying capacity on population dynamics.

Main Results:

• Identified a critical protection zone length that prevents predator take-over, promoting species coexistence.
• Demonstrated that enhanced dispersal can counteract flow-induced population washout.
• Linked prey evasion and predator advection rates to bistable population outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Upstream refuge design is critical for mitigating generalist predator dominance in rivers.
• Flow-adaptive protection zones offer effective management strategies for aquatic ecosystems.
• The study provides insights into maintaining biodiversity in dynamic riverine environments.