Details zur Publikation

Kategorie Textpublikation
Referenztyp Zeitschriften
DOI 10.1016/j.ecocom.2021.100908
Volltext Autorenversion
Titel (primär) Prey preference of top predators manipulates the functioning and stability of multi-trophic ecosystems
Autor Fei, M.; Kong, X.
Quelle Ecological Complexity
Erscheinungsjahr 2021
Department SEEFO
Band/Volume 45
Seite von art. 100908
Sprache englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Keywords Prey preference; Top predator; Invasive species; Food web stability; Ecosystem functioning
Abstract The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, and the mechanisms underpinning the food web stability, have been intensively investigated in ecological research. The ubiquities of generalists in natural food webs and its important role in dictating these ecosystem properties have been generally recognized. However, how competition between multiple top predators shape these ecosystem properties and determine the success of invasive predators remain largely unexplored. Here, we use a well-developed food web model to investigate the effects of prey preference of top predators on ecosystem functioning and food web stability in both local and invasive conditions. We design several modeling scenarios to mimic combinations of different types of top predators (specialist/generalist) and their origins (local/invasive). Our model theoretically shows that lower exploitation competition for prey between top predators (with distinct prey preferences featured by higher attack rates) would be beneficial for the ecosystem functioning and food web stability. We also demonstrate that the success of top predator invasion depends on the prey preference of both local and invasive top predators. Sensitivity analysis on the model further supports our findings. Our results highlight the importance of prey preference of multiple top predators in manipulating the properties of multi-trophic ecosystems. Our findings may have important implications because the current ongoing global changes profoundly change the phenology of many biological systems and create trophic mismatch, which may manipulate prey preference of top predators and in turn deteriorate ecosystem functioning and food web stability.
dauerhafte UFZ-Verlinkung https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=24139
Fei, M., Kong, X. (2021):
Prey preference of top predators manipulates the functioning and stability of multi-trophic ecosystems
Ecol. Complex. 45 , art. 100908 10.1016/j.ecocom.2021.100908