Spatiotemporal dynamics of predator-prey system with Allee effect

摘要

In this paper, we introduce the Allee effect into two trophic levels of a predator-prey model. Using ordinary differential equations and cellular automata, we design the spatially implicit and explicit predator-prey models and discuss the asymmetrical impact of the Allee effect on predatorprey interactions. Simulation results of the spatially implicit model show that the stability of predator-prey system is impacted by the Allee effect. A moderate Allee effect on the prey leads the system from stable to oscillatory, while that on the predator makes the system less oscillatory and reach the equilibrium much faster. Results from the spatially explicit models show that the spatial heterogeneity arises under the probability transition model with the Allee effect. The Allee effect on predator population makes the spatial heterogeneity more intense than on the prey. With considering the demographic stochasticity, the Allee effect on different trophic levels can incur two distribution patterns: aggregation and circumscription.