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Exploring multistability in marine ecosystems: Insights from food web model dynamics

Author

Listed:
  • Frank, A.S.
  • Pinke, Andrea
  • Read, Elizabeth
  • Röblitz, Susanna
  • Sadhu, Susmita
  • Subbey, Sam

Abstract

This review synthesizes the role of multistability in deterministic food web models of marine ecosystems, focusing on how structural features of ordinary differential equation (ODE) models give rise to multiple stable states. From an initial pool of 178 publications, we systematically selected 35 studies that explicitly report multistability in predator–prey and food web models. These were analyzed according to key structural components – such as functional responses, growth and mortality terms, nonlinearities, and network topologies – to identify the mechanisms underpinning the emergence of bistability, tristability, and higher-order multistability.

Suggested Citation

  • Frank, A.S. & Pinke, Andrea & Read, Elizabeth & Röblitz, Susanna & Sadhu, Susmita & Subbey, Sam, 2025. "Exploring multistability in marine ecosystems: Insights from food web model dynamics," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 508(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:508:y:2025:i:c:s0304380025002315
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2025.111245
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    References listed on IDEAS

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