A nonlocal reaction–diffusion–advection system modeling autotroph–mixotroph interactions

Abstract

Autotrophic phytoplankton (autotrophs) and mixotrophic phytoplankton (mixotrophs) are two important types of phytoplankton. Mixotrophs consume autotrophs and both compete for light. We propose a nonlocal reaction–diffusion–advection system that describes the interactions between autotrophs and mixotrophs. Steady state solutions are analyzed by eigenvalue theory of elliptic operators and bifurcation theory. The basic ecological reproductive indices for autotroph and mixotroph invasion are given. We also explore the influences of ecological factors on the autotroph and mixotroph biomass and reveal some ecological mechanisms for the coexistence of autotrophs and mixotrophs. These results can be used to protect phytoplankton biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems.