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In this paper, we consider a quartic family of planar vector fields corresponding to a rational Holling system which models the dynamics of the populations of predators and their prey in a given ecological or biomedical system and which is a variation on the classical Lotka–Volterra system. For the latter system, the change of the prey density per unit of time per predator called the response function is proportional to the prey density. This means that there is no saturation of the predator when the amount of available prey is large. However, it is more realistic to consider a nonlinear and bounded response function, and in fact different response functions have been used in the literature to model the predator response. After algebraic transformations, the rational Holling system can be written in the form of a quartic dynamical system. To investigate the character and distribution of the singular points in the phase plane of the quartic system, we use our method the sense of which is to obtain the simplest (well-known) system by vanishing some parameters (usually field rotation parameters) of the original system and then to input these parameters successively one by one studying the dynamics of the singular points (both finite and infinite) in the phase plane. Using the obtained information on singular points and applying our geometric approach to the qualitative analysis, we study the limit cycle bifurcations of the quartic system. To control all of the limit cycle bifurcations, especially, bifurcations of multiple limit cycles, it is necessary to know the properties and combine the effects of all of the rotation parameters. It can be done by means of the Wintner–Perko termination principle stating that the maximal one-parameter family of multiple limit cycles terminates either at a singular point which is typically of the same multiplicity (cyclicity) or on a separatrix cycle which is also typically of the same multiplicity (cyclicity). Applying this principle, we prove that the quartic system (and the corresponding rational Holling system) can have at most two limit cycles surrounding one singular point.

This paper considers the integrated approach to modeling the dynamics of genetic structure and the number of natural population. A set of dynamic models with different types of natural selection is used to describe a possible mechanism for the fixing of a genetic diversity in size of the litter in coastal, continental and farmed populations of arctic fox (Alopex lagopus, Canidae, Carnivora) observed now. The most interesting results have been obtained with the model of population consisting of two stages of development. At that with the frame of this model a dynamics of population genetic structure on genotypes was analyzed to consider different reproductive abilities and fitnesses of pups on the early stage of lifecycle which defined by the single diallelic gene. This model allows to receive a monomorphism for coastal populations of arctic fox, where food resources are practically constant. As well the model allows polymorphism with cyclical fluctuations in the number and frequency of the gene in the continental populations due to regular fluctuating of rodent number, the major component of its food. In farmed populations by selective selection carried out by farmers to increase the reproductive success, this gene is a pleiotropic one (i. e., determining the survival rate of individuals both early and late stages of their life cycle); so an application of appropriate model (with the selection of pleiotropic gene) allows to get an adequate rate of elimination for small litters allele.

We present the results of a mathematical model for the aquatic communities which include zooplankton, planktivorous fish and predator fish. The aquatic populations are considered to be body mass- and agestructured, while the trophic relations between the populations to be correspondingly status-specific. The model reproduces diverse dynamic regimes as such steady states and oscillations in the population size. Oscillations in the fish population size are shown to be both regular and irregular. We show that the period of the regular oscillations can be up to decades. The irregular oscillations are shown to be both chaotic and non-chaotic. Analyzing the dynamics in the model parameter space has enabled us to conclude that predictability of fish population dynamics can face difficulties both due to dynamical chaos and to the competition between various dynamical regimes caused by variations in the model parameters, specifically in the zooplankton growth rate.

Numerical solutions for the two-dimensional reaction-diffusion equation with nonlocal nonlinearity are obtained. The solutions reveal formation of dissipative structures. Structures arising from initial distributions with one and several centers of localization are considered. Formation of extending circular structures is shown. Peculiarities of formation and interaction of extending circular structures depending on  nonlocal interaction are considered.

A model of forest insect population dynamics used to simulate of “forest-insect” interactions and for estimation of possible damages of forest stand by pests. This model represented a population as control system where the input variables characterized the influence of modifier (climatic) factors and the feedback loop describes the effect of regulatory factors (parasites, predators and population interactions). The technique of stress testing on the basis of population dynamics model proposed for assessment of the risks of forest stand damage and destruction after insect impact. The dangerous forest pest pine looper Bupalus piniarius L. considered as the object of analysis. Computer experiments were conducted to assess of outbreak risks with possible climate change in the territory of Central Siberia. Model experiments have shown that risk of insect impact on the forest is not increased significantly in condition of sufficiently moderate warming (not more than 4 °C in summer period). However, a stronger warming in the territory of Central Siberia, combined with a dry summer condition could cause a significant increase in the risk of pine looper outbreaks.

Stochastically forced discrete dynamical systems are considered. Using first approximation systems, we study dynamics of deviations of stochastic solutions from deterministic equilibria. Necessary and sufficient conditions of the existence of stable stationary solutions of equations for mean-square deviations are derived. Stationary values of these mean-square deviations are used for the estimations of the dispersion of random states nearby stable equilibria and analysis of noise-induced transitions. Constructive application of the suggested technique to the analysis of various stochastic regimes in Ricker population model with Allee effect is demonstrated.

The paper is devoted to the analysis of the proximity of the population system to dangerous boundaries. An intersection of these boundaries results in the collapse of the stable coexistence of interacting populations. As a reason of such destruction one can consider random perturbations inevitably presented in any living system. This study is carried out on the example of the well-known model of interaction between predator and prey populations, taking into account both a stabilizing factor of the competition of predators for another than prey resources, and also a destabilizing saturation factor for predators. To describe the saturation of predators, we use the second type Holling trophic function. The dynamics of the system is studied as a function of the predator saturation, and the coefficient of predator competition for resources other than prey. The paper presents a parametric description of the possible dynamic regimes of the deterministic model. Here, local and global bifurcations are studied, and areas of sustainable coexistence of populations in equilibrium and the oscillation modes are described. An interesting feature of this mathematical model, firstly considered by Bazykin, is a global bifurcation of the birth of limit cycle from the separatrix loop. We study the effects of noise on the equilibrium and oscillatory regimes of coexistence of predator and prey populations. It is shown that an increase of the intensity of random disturbances can lead to significant deformations of these regimes right up to their destruction. The aim of this work is to develop a constructive probabilistic criterion for the proximity of the population stochastic system to the dangerous boundaries. The proposed approach is based on the mathematical technique of stochastic sensitivity functions, and the method of confidence domains. In the case of a stable equilibrium, this confidence domain is an ellipse. For the stable cycle, this domain is a confidence band. The size of the confidence domain is proportional to the intensity of the noise and stochastic sensitivity of the initial deterministic attractor. A geometric criterion of the exit of the population system from sustainable coexistence mode is the intersection of the confidence domain and the corresponding separatrix of the unforced deterministic model. An effectiveness of this analytical approach is confirmed by the good agreement of theoretical estimates and results of direct numerical simulations.

A mathematical model of predator – prey microecosystem with lower critical population number of prey is considered. The predator – prey system is assumed to be under harvesting. Harvesting intensity variations generate changes in two model parameters which are considered as controllable. Bifurcation diagram in control-lable parameters plane is constructed and corresponding phase portraits are represented.

This article is dedicated to applicability justification as well as advantages and disadvantages analysis of discrete models in population dynamics. Discretization is the process of transferring continuous functions, models, and equations into discrete counterparts. We consider how temporal, spatial and structural discretization can be applied for solving typical issues in mathematical ecology, and try to estimate corresponding models adequacy and applicability limitations.

We consider a mathematical model describing the competition for a heterogeneous resource of two populations on a one-dimensional area. Distribution of populations is governed by diffusion and directed migration, species growth obeys to the logistic law. We study the corresponding problem of nonlinear parabolic equations with variable coefficients (function of a resource, parameters of growth, diffusion and migration). Approach on the theory the cosymmetric dynamic systems of V. Yudovich is applied to the analysis of population patterns. Conditions on parameters for which the problem under investigation has nontrivial cosymmetry are analytically derived. Numerical experiment is used to find an emergence of continuous family of steady states when cosymmetry takes place. The numerical scheme is based on the finite-difference discretization in space using the balance method and integration on time by Runge-Kutta method. Impact of diffusive and migration parameters on scenarios of distribution of populations is studied. In the vicinity of the line, corresponding to cosymmetry, neutral curves for diffusive parameters are calculated. We present the mappings with areas of diffusive parameters which correspond to scenarios of coexistence and extinction of species. For a number of migration parameters and resource functions with one and two maxima the analysis of possible scenarios is carried out. Particularly, we found the areas of parameters for which the survival of each specie is determined by initial conditions. It should be noted that dynamics may be nontrivial: after starting decrease in densities of both species the growth of only one population takes place whenever another specie decreases. The analysis has shown that areas of the diffusive parameters corresponding to various scenarios of population patterns are grouped near the cosymmetry lines. The derived mappings allow to explain, in particular, effect of a survival of population due to increasing of diffusive mobility in case of starvation.