Oscillatory behaviour in a three-component plankton population model

Abstract

Abstract We examine the qualitative behaviour of an NPZ (nutrient-phyto- plankton-zooplankton) model for parameter ranges consistent with values used in the literature. The wide range of values partly reflects variations of conditions in different environtments for the plankton, but in many cases is a measure of the difficulties in making observations and consequent uncertainties. We pay particular attention to the bifurcational behaviour of the system, and to the regions of parameter space for which oscillatory behaviour is possible; such oscillatory behaviour has recently been found in both observational data and in more complex ecosystem models. In some regions of parameter space, we also find that multiple attractors occur. Finally, we examine in more detail the behaviour for a range of values of nutrient input.