Food-limited plant–herbivore model: Bifurcations, persistence, and stability

Abstract

This research paper delves into the two-dimensional discrete plant–herbivore model. In this model, herbivores are food-limited and affect the plants’ density in their environment. Our analysis reveals that this system has equilibrium points of extinction, exclusion, and coexistence. We analyze the behavior of solutions near these points and prove that the extinction and exclusion equilibrium points are globally asymptotically stable in certain parameter regions. At the boundary equilibrium, we prove the existence of transcritical and period-doubling bifurcations with stable two-cycle. Transcritical bifurcation occurs when the plant’s maximum growth rate or food-limited parameter reaches a specific boundary. This boundary serves as an invasion boundary for populations of plants or herbivores. At the interior equilibrium, we prove the occurrence of transcritical, Neimark–Sacker, and period-doubling bifurcations with an unstable two-cycle. Our research also establishes that the system is persistent in certain regions of the first quadrant. We demonstrate that the local asymptotic stability of the interior equilibrium does not guarantee the system’s persistence. Bistability exists between boundary attractors (logistic dynamics) and interior equilibrium for specific parameters’ regions. We conclude that changes to the food-limitation parameter can significantly alter the system’s dynamic behavior. To validate our theoretical findings, we conduct numerical simulations.