On the impact of spatial heterogeneity and drift rate in a three-patch two-species Lotka-Volterra competition model over a stream

TL;DR

This study investigates how spatial heterogeneity and movement rates influence competition outcomes between two species in a stream modeled by a three-patch Lotka-Volterra system, highlighting the importance of environment and drift in invasion success.

Contribution

It introduces a three-patch two-species competition model over a stream considering heterogeneous environments and movement dynamics, revealing their effects on species invasion outcomes.

Findings

Spatial heterogeneity significantly affects competition results.

Higher drift rates can facilitate or hinder invasion.

Environmental differences influence species coexistence or exclusion.

Abstract

In this paper, we study a three-patch two-species Lotka-Volterra competition patch model over a stream network. The individuals are subject to both random and directed movements, and the two species are assumed to be identical except for the movement rates. The environment is heterogeneous, and the carrying capacity is lager in upstream locations. We treat one species as a resident species and investigate whether the other species can invade or not. Our results show that the spatial heterogeneity of environment and the magnitude of the drift rates have a large impact on the competition outcomes of the stream species.