Discrete Dynamics of a Phytoplankton-Zooplankton Model with Toxin-Mediated Interactions

TL;DR

This paper analyzes a discrete phytoplankton-zooplankton model with toxin interactions, revealing conditions for stability, bifurcations, and oscillations that relate to natural plankton bloom cycles.

Contribution

It introduces a discrete model with toxin-mediated interactions and thoroughly analyzes its fixed points, bifurcations, and stability, providing new insights into plankton population dynamics.

Findings

Existence of two positive fixed points, with one always being a saddle.

Identification of a Neimark-Sacker bifurcation leading to oscillations.

Global stability of the boundary equilibrium (1,0).

Abstract

We investigate the dynamics of a discrete phytoplankton-zooplankton model incorporating Holling type~III predation and Holling type~II toxin release. The existence and stability of positive fixed points are analyzed, and it is shown that when two such points, $E_1$ and $E_2$, exist, $E_2$ is always a saddle. A Neimark-Sacker bifurcation at $E_1$ is verified using the normal form method, indicating the emergence of closed invariant curves. This bifurcation implies that phytoplankton and zooplankton populations may exhibit sustained periodic oscillations, which could correspond to natural plankton bloom cycles. The global stability of the boundary equilibrium $(1,0)$ is also established. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate and confirm the theoretical findings.