Predator–prey models in ecology serve a variety of purposes, which range from illustrating a scientific concept to representing a complex natural phenomenon. Due to the complexity and variability of the environment, the dynamic behavior obtained from existing predator–prey models often deviates from reality. Many factors remain to be considered, such as external forcing, harvesting and so on. In this chapter, we study a spatial version of the Ivlev-type predator-prey model that includes reaction-diffusion, external periodic forcing, and constant harvesting rate on prey. Using this model, we study how external periodic forcing affects the stability of predator-prey coexistence equilibrium. The results of spatial pattern analysis of the Ivlev-type predator-prey model with zero-flux boundary conditions, based on the Euler method and via numerical simulations in MATLAB, show that the model generates rich dynamics. Our results reveal that modeling by reaction-diffusion equations with external periodic forcing and nonzero constant prey harvesting could be used to make general predictions regarding predator-prey equilibrium,which may be used to guide management practice, and to provide a basis for the development of statistical tools and testable hypotheses.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of two generic predator–prey models