Global Dynamics of the Hastings-Powell System

Abstract

This paper studies the problem of bounding a domain that contains all compact invariant sets of the Hastings-Powell system. The results were obtained using the first-order extremum conditions and the iterative theorem to a biologically meaningful model. As a result, we calculate the bounds given by a tetrahedron with excisions, described by several inequalities of the state variables and system parameters. Therefore, a region is identified where all the system dynamics are located, that is, its compact invariant sets: equilibrium points, periodic-homoclinic-heteroclinic orbits, and chaotic attractors. It was also possible to formulate a nonexistence condition of the compact invariant sets. Additionally, numerical simulations provide examples of the calculated boundaries for the chaotic attractors or periodic orbits. The results provide insights regarding the global dynamics of the system.