UNDERSTANDING MULTIPLE SPECIES ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS USING A CONSUMER RESOURCE MODEL

Most ecological systems comprise multiple species coexisting and the dynamics of these multiple species can be important for understanding, management, and conservation. One method to study such ecological system dynamics is the use of heterogeneous models. Here we formulate and analyze a multiple species (n patches or groups) consumer resource model. Initial insights are gained by analyzing the special cases and . A threshold consumption number C-0 is used to investigate system stability and hence the long-term dynamics of the system. It is shown how this threshold consumption number can measure the effects and extent of multiple species coexistence in the system.