Sensitivity to assumptions in models of generalist predation on a cyclic prey
Ecological theory predicts that generalist predators should damp or suppress long-term periodic fluctuations ( cycles) in their prey populations and depress their average densities. However, the magnitude of these impacts is likely to vary depending on the availability of alternative prey species an...
Published in: | Ecology |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
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2007
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Online Access: | https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/researchoutput/sensitivity-to-assumptions-in-models-of-generalist-predation-on-a-cyclic-prey(298b84f8-eedd-43e1-ac3b-db80c57bdba4).html https://doi.org/10.1890/06-0483.1 http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=38449116442&partnerID=8YFLogxK |
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ftunstandrewcris:oai:risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk:publications/298b84f8-eedd-43e1-ac3b-db80c57bdba4 2023-05-15T15:55:33+02:00 Sensitivity to assumptions in models of generalist predation on a cyclic prey Matthiopoulos, Jason Graham, K Smout, Sophie Caroline Asseburg, C Redpath, S Thirgood, S Hudson, P Harwood, John 2007-10 https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/researchoutput/sensitivity-to-assumptions-in-models-of-generalist-predation-on-a-cyclic-prey(298b84f8-eedd-43e1-ac3b-db80c57bdba4).html https://doi.org/10.1890/06-0483.1 http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=38449116442&partnerID=8YFLogxK eng eng info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess Matthiopoulos , J , Graham , K , Smout , S C , Asseburg , C , Redpath , S , Thirgood , S , Hudson , P & Harwood , J 2007 , ' Sensitivity to assumptions in models of generalist predation on a cyclic prey ' , Ecology , vol. 88 , no. 10 , pp. 2576-2586 . https://doi.org/10.1890/06-0483.1 aggregative response birds of prey Circus cyaneus host-parasite intrinsic population cycles Monte Carlo Markov chain multispecies functional response parameter uncertainty predator-prey model prey-switching stochasticity territoriality LAGOPUS-LAGOPUS-SCOTICUS VOLE MICROTUS-AGRESTIS HOST-PARASITE SYSTEM RED GROUSE APPARENT COMPETITION POPULATION-DYNAMICS FUNCTIONAL-RESPONSE TERRITORIAL BEHAVIOR HEN HARRIERS TRICHOSTRONGYLUS-TENUIS article 2007 ftunstandrewcris https://doi.org/10.1890/06-0483.1 2022-06-02T07:39:24Z Ecological theory predicts that generalist predators should damp or suppress long-term periodic fluctuations ( cycles) in their prey populations and depress their average densities. However, the magnitude of these impacts is likely to vary depending on the availability of alternative prey species and the nature of ecological mechanisms driving the prey cycles. These multispecies effects can be modeled explicitly if parameterized functions relating prey consumption to prey abundance, and realistic population dynamical models for the prey, are available. These requirements are met by the interaction between the Hen Harrier ( Circus cyaneus) and three of its prey species in the United Kingdom, the Meadow Pipit ( Anthus pratensis), the field vole ( Microtus agrestis), and the Red Grouse ( Lagopus lagopus scoticus). We used this system to investigate how the availability of alternative prey and the way in which prey dynamics are modeled might affect the behavior of simple trophic networks. We generated cycles in one of the prey species ( Red Grouse) in three different ways: through ( 1) the interaction between grouse density and macroparasites, ( 2) the interaction between grouse density and male grouse aggressiveness, and ( 3) a generic, delayed density-dependent mechanism. Our results confirm that generalist predation can damp or suppress grouse cycles, but only when the densities of alternative prey are low. They also demonstrate that diametrically opposite indirect effects between pairs of prey species can occur together in simple systems. In this case, pipits and grouse are apparent competitors, whereas voles and grouse are apparent facilitators. Finally, we found that the quantitative impacts of the predator on prey density differed among the three models of prey dynamics, and these differences were robust to uncertainty in parameter estimation and environmental stochasticity. Article in Journal/Newspaper Circus cyaneus University of St Andrews: Research Portal Ecology 88 10 2576 2586 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
University of St Andrews: Research Portal |
op_collection_id |
ftunstandrewcris |
language |
English |
topic |
aggregative response birds of prey Circus cyaneus host-parasite intrinsic population cycles Monte Carlo Markov chain multispecies functional response parameter uncertainty predator-prey model prey-switching stochasticity territoriality LAGOPUS-LAGOPUS-SCOTICUS VOLE MICROTUS-AGRESTIS HOST-PARASITE SYSTEM RED GROUSE APPARENT COMPETITION POPULATION-DYNAMICS FUNCTIONAL-RESPONSE TERRITORIAL BEHAVIOR HEN HARRIERS TRICHOSTRONGYLUS-TENUIS |
spellingShingle |
aggregative response birds of prey Circus cyaneus host-parasite intrinsic population cycles Monte Carlo Markov chain multispecies functional response parameter uncertainty predator-prey model prey-switching stochasticity territoriality LAGOPUS-LAGOPUS-SCOTICUS VOLE MICROTUS-AGRESTIS HOST-PARASITE SYSTEM RED GROUSE APPARENT COMPETITION POPULATION-DYNAMICS FUNCTIONAL-RESPONSE TERRITORIAL BEHAVIOR HEN HARRIERS TRICHOSTRONGYLUS-TENUIS Matthiopoulos, Jason Graham, K Smout, Sophie Caroline Asseburg, C Redpath, S Thirgood, S Hudson, P Harwood, John Sensitivity to assumptions in models of generalist predation on a cyclic prey |
topic_facet |
aggregative response birds of prey Circus cyaneus host-parasite intrinsic population cycles Monte Carlo Markov chain multispecies functional response parameter uncertainty predator-prey model prey-switching stochasticity territoriality LAGOPUS-LAGOPUS-SCOTICUS VOLE MICROTUS-AGRESTIS HOST-PARASITE SYSTEM RED GROUSE APPARENT COMPETITION POPULATION-DYNAMICS FUNCTIONAL-RESPONSE TERRITORIAL BEHAVIOR HEN HARRIERS TRICHOSTRONGYLUS-TENUIS |
description |
Ecological theory predicts that generalist predators should damp or suppress long-term periodic fluctuations ( cycles) in their prey populations and depress their average densities. However, the magnitude of these impacts is likely to vary depending on the availability of alternative prey species and the nature of ecological mechanisms driving the prey cycles. These multispecies effects can be modeled explicitly if parameterized functions relating prey consumption to prey abundance, and realistic population dynamical models for the prey, are available. These requirements are met by the interaction between the Hen Harrier ( Circus cyaneus) and three of its prey species in the United Kingdom, the Meadow Pipit ( Anthus pratensis), the field vole ( Microtus agrestis), and the Red Grouse ( Lagopus lagopus scoticus). We used this system to investigate how the availability of alternative prey and the way in which prey dynamics are modeled might affect the behavior of simple trophic networks. We generated cycles in one of the prey species ( Red Grouse) in three different ways: through ( 1) the interaction between grouse density and macroparasites, ( 2) the interaction between grouse density and male grouse aggressiveness, and ( 3) a generic, delayed density-dependent mechanism. Our results confirm that generalist predation can damp or suppress grouse cycles, but only when the densities of alternative prey are low. They also demonstrate that diametrically opposite indirect effects between pairs of prey species can occur together in simple systems. In this case, pipits and grouse are apparent competitors, whereas voles and grouse are apparent facilitators. Finally, we found that the quantitative impacts of the predator on prey density differed among the three models of prey dynamics, and these differences were robust to uncertainty in parameter estimation and environmental stochasticity. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Matthiopoulos, Jason Graham, K Smout, Sophie Caroline Asseburg, C Redpath, S Thirgood, S Hudson, P Harwood, John |
author_facet |
Matthiopoulos, Jason Graham, K Smout, Sophie Caroline Asseburg, C Redpath, S Thirgood, S Hudson, P Harwood, John |
author_sort |
Matthiopoulos, Jason |
title |
Sensitivity to assumptions in models of generalist predation on a cyclic prey |
title_short |
Sensitivity to assumptions in models of generalist predation on a cyclic prey |
title_full |
Sensitivity to assumptions in models of generalist predation on a cyclic prey |
title_fullStr |
Sensitivity to assumptions in models of generalist predation on a cyclic prey |
title_full_unstemmed |
Sensitivity to assumptions in models of generalist predation on a cyclic prey |
title_sort |
sensitivity to assumptions in models of generalist predation on a cyclic prey |
publishDate |
2007 |
url |
https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/researchoutput/sensitivity-to-assumptions-in-models-of-generalist-predation-on-a-cyclic-prey(298b84f8-eedd-43e1-ac3b-db80c57bdba4).html https://doi.org/10.1890/06-0483.1 http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=38449116442&partnerID=8YFLogxK |
genre |
Circus cyaneus |
genre_facet |
Circus cyaneus |
op_source |
Matthiopoulos , J , Graham , K , Smout , S C , Asseburg , C , Redpath , S , Thirgood , S , Hudson , P & Harwood , J 2007 , ' Sensitivity to assumptions in models of generalist predation on a cyclic prey ' , Ecology , vol. 88 , no. 10 , pp. 2576-2586 . https://doi.org/10.1890/06-0483.1 |
op_rights |
info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1890/06-0483.1 |
container_title |
Ecology |
container_volume |
88 |
container_issue |
10 |
container_start_page |
2576 |
op_container_end_page |
2586 |
_version_ |
1766391046796738560 |