Predicting shifts in dynamics of cannibalistic field populations using individual-based models

Authored by L Persson, Roos AM de, A Bertolo

Date Published: 2004

DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2004.2854

Sponsors: Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) Swedish Research Council Swedish Council for Forestry and Agricultural Research (SJFR)

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

The occurrence of qualitative shifts in population dynamical regimes has long been the focus of population biologists. Nonlinear ecological models predict that these shifts in dynamical regimes may occur as a result of parameter shifts, but unambiguous empirical evidence is largely restricted to laboratory populations. We used an individual-based modelling approach to predict dynamical shifts in field fish populations where the capacity to cannibalize differed between species. Model-generated individual growth trajectories that reflect different population dynamics were confronted with empirically observed growth trajectories, showing that our ordering and quantitative estimates of the different cannibalistic species in terms of life-history characteristics led to correct qualitative predictions of their dynamics.

Tags

Competition Chaos Prey Rates Cycles Life-history Communities Yellow perch Lake Piscivory