Positive solutions and pattern formation in a diffusive tritrophic system with Crowley–Martin functional response

Abstract

In the present work, we have studied a diffusive tritrophic food chain model in which the species at each trophic level interact in accordance with Crowley–Martin functional response under mixed boundary conditions. Using degree theory and fixed point index-based methods, we have proved the existence of the positive solutions of the proposed system. We have proved the permanence of the positive solutions and existence of global attractor. The conditions for diffusion-driven instability have been obtained analytically. Moreover, the pattern formation due to diffusion-driven instability has been investigated numerically. We have shown the existence of the positive solutions both analytically and numerically.