Biodiversity and ecosystem stability in a four-species prey-predator food chain with meta-communities

Ramakrishnan Geetha; Muthurathinam Sivabalan; Mehmet Yavuz; Thangavel Megala; Manickasundaram Siva Pradeep; Ramakrishnan Geetha; Muthurathinam Sivabalan; Mehmet Yavuz; Thangavel Megala; Manickasundaram Siva Pradeep

doi:10.3934/bioeng.2025025

AIMS Bioengineering

2025, Volume 12, Issue 4: 530-555. doi: 10.3934/bioeng.2025025

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Research article

Biodiversity and ecosystem stability in a four-species prey-predator food chain with meta-communities

1.
Department of Mathematics, CSI College of Engineering, Ketti, Ooty, The Nilgiris-643215, Tamil Nadu, India
2.
Department of Mathematics, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Periyanaickenpalayam, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641 020, India
3.
Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, Necmettin Erbakan University, 42090 Konya, Turkiye
4.
Department of Applied Mathematics and Informatics, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, Bishkek 720038, Kyrgyzstan
5.
Centre for Environmental Mathematics, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
6.
Department of Mathematics, United Institute of Technology, Periyanaickenpalayam, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641 020, India

Received: 24 July 2025 Revised: 16 October 2025 Accepted: 21 October 2025 Published: 27 October 2025

In this study, we examine tri-trophic food chain dynamics within meta-communities to understand how ecological interactions sustain biodiversity and ecosystem stability. A mathematical model is developed to capture trophic interactions among species across interconnected habitats, incorporating harvesting effects and management strategies. Stability analyses identify conditions for system stability, while simulations show how key ecological parameters influence species persistence. Integrating maximum sustainable yield (MSY) policies reveals optimal harvesting levels that ensure sustainability, whereas excessive harvesting causes population decline or instability. Comparisons with rice–fish co-culture systems demonstrate that biodiversity enhances tri-trophic interactions and ecosystem resilience. The findings provide insights into ecological balance and sustainable management for preserving biodiversity and ecosystem health.
- Tri-trophic food chain,
- meta-communities,
- positivity,
- boundedness,
- harvesting methods,
- sustainability,
- management policies
Citation: Ramakrishnan Geetha, Muthurathinam Sivabalan, Mehmet Yavuz, Thangavel Megala, Manickasundaram Siva Pradeep. Biodiversity and ecosystem stability in a four-species prey-predator food chain with meta-communities[J]. AIMS Bioengineering, 2025, 12(4): 530-555. doi: 10.3934/bioeng.2025025

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Abstract

In this study, we examine tri-trophic food chain dynamics within meta-communities to understand how ecological interactions sustain biodiversity and ecosystem stability. A mathematical model is developed to capture trophic interactions among species across interconnected habitats, incorporating harvesting effects and management strategies. Stability analyses identify conditions for system stability, while simulations show how key ecological parameters influence species persistence. Integrating maximum sustainable yield (MSY) policies reveals optimal harvesting levels that ensure sustainability, whereas excessive harvesting causes population decline or instability. Comparisons with rice–fish co-culture systems demonstrate that biodiversity enhances tri-trophic interactions and ecosystem resilience. The findings provide insights into ecological balance and sustainable management for preserving biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Conflict of interest

All authors declare no conflicts of interest in this paper.

Authors contributions

R. Geetha: Investigation, Writing - Original draft preparation, Methodology, Validation. M. Sivabalan: Supervision, Writing - Review & Editing. Mehmet Yavuz: Resources, Writing - Review & Editing. T. Megala: Formal analysis, Data collection. M. Siva Pradeep: Conceptualization, Writing - Review & Editing.

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