Numerical response of predator to prey: Dynamic interactions and population cycles in Eurasian lynx and roe deer ...

• Main Authors: Andren, Henrik, Liberg, Olof
• Format: Software
• Language: unknown
• Published: Zenodo 2023
• Subjects: Eurasian lynx; Lynx lynx; roe deer; Capreolus capreolus; bottom-up; functional response; numerical response; predator; prey; prey refugia; Population cycles; population dynamic; top-down; Lynx; Lynx lynx lynx
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8363753; https://zenodo.org/record/8363753

The dynamic interactions between predators and their prey have two fundamental processes; numerical and functional responses. Numerical response is defined as predator growth rate as a function of prey density or both prey and predator densities [dP/dt = f(N, P)]. Functional response is defined as the kill rate by an individual predator being a function of prey density or prey and predator densities combined. Although there are relatively many studies on the functional response in mammalian predators, numerical response remains poorly documented. We studied numerical response of Eurasian lynx ( Lynx lynx ) to various densities of its primary prey species, roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ), and to itself (lynx). We exploited an unusual natural situation, spanning three decades where lynx, after a period of absence in central and southern Sweden, during which roe deer populations had grown to high densities, subsequently recolonized region after region, from north to south. We divided the study area into seven ... : Funding provided by: Naturvårdsverket Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004357 Award Number: 2020-00099Funding provided by: Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001862 Award Number: 2015-01207 ...