Real-case study of the Moroccan tri-trophic model with alternative food

Abstract

In this study, we perform a comprehensive analytical and numerical analysis of the dynamics within the Moroccan tritrophic marine ecosystem, focusing on the species Maja Squinado, Octopus Vulgaris, and Xiphias Gladius. We compare the behaviour of the system with and without alternative food sources. Mathematically, we explore positivity, boundedness, equilibrium points, and their stabilities in both scenarios. The effect of alternative food resources on intermediate predators (Octopus Vulgaris) is examined in the context of a Holling II functional response. Our results reveal that when predators rely solely on their preferred prey, their biomass initially peaks before declining. However, the availability of alternative food sources allows the prey population to recover, thus maintaining a stable predator biomass. This highlights the essential role of alternative food sources in maintaining ecosystem stability and the closer alignment of the model with real-world dynamics.