Maud Menten Institute / Mathematical and Statistical Biology Seminar: Sue Ann Campbell

We study a diffusive nutrient-phytoplankton-zooplankton-detritus (NPZ) model with delayed nutrient recycling. We consider both the case of a general spatio-temporal delay and a specific delay kernel where the model is equivalent to a non-delayed system with an additional compartment. If the diffusion rates for all species are identical, we show that Turing instability is not possible; however, if sufficient biomass is present, complex spatio-temporal dynamics, both transient and long lasting, may occur. If the diffusion rates are different, we show that Turing instability is possible. We study the effect of the diffusion rates and the total biomass of the system on the development of the instability. 

This is joint work with Francis Poulin, Yiwen Tao, and Xiangye Xu.