Predator-prey dynamics in models of prey dispersal in two-patch environments.

Models are presented for a single species that disperses between two patches of a heterogeneous environment with barriers between patches and a predator for which the dispersal between patches does not involve a barrier. Conditions are established for the existence, uniform persistence, and local and global stability of positive steady states. In particular, an example that demonstrates both the stabilizing and destabilizing effects of dispersion is presented. This example indicates that a stable migrating predator-prey system can be made unstable by changing the amount of migration in both directions.