Effect of time delay on a detritus-based ecosystem

Abstract

Models of detritus-based ecosystems with delay have received a great deal of attention for the last few decades. This paper deals with the dynamical analysis of a nonlinear model of a detritus-based ecosystem involving detritivores and predator of detritivores. We have obtained the criteria for local stability of various equilibrium points and persistence of the model system. Next, we have introduced discrete time delay due to recycling of dead organic matters and gestation of nutrients to the growth equations of various trophic levels. With delay differential equation model system we have studied the effect of time delay on the stability behaviour. Next, we have obtained an estimate for the length of time delay to preserve the stability of the model system. Finally, the existence of Hopf-bifurcating small amplitude periodic solutions is derived by considering time delay as a bifurcation parameter.