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Improving the biological realism of predator–prey size relationships in food web models alters ecosystem dynamics538.04 kB
Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Improving the biological realism of predator–prey size relationships in food web models alters ecosystem dynamics
Biology Letters, Vol.19(10), pp.1-6
2023
Abstract
Body-size relationships between predators and prey exhibit remarkable diversity. However, the assumption that predators typically consume proportionally smaller prey often underlies size-dependent predation in ecosystem models. In reality, some animals can consume larger prey or exhibit limited changes in prey size as they grow larger themselves. These distinct predator–prey size relationships challenge the conventional assumptions of traditional size-based models. Cephalopods, with their diverse feeding behaviours and life histories, offer an excellent case study to investigate the impact of greater biological realism in predator–prey size relationships on energy flow within a size-structured ecosystem model. By categorizing cephalopods into high and low-activity groups, in line with empirically derived, distinct predator–prey size relationships, we found that incorporating greater biological realism in size-based feeding reduced ecosystem biomass and production, while simultaneously increasing biomass stability and turnover. Our results have broad implications for ecosystem modelling, since distinct predator–prey size relationships extend beyond cephalopods, encompassing a wide array of major taxonomic groups from filter-feeding fishes to baleen whales. Incorporating a diversity of size-based feeding in food web models can enhance their ecological and predictive accuracy when studying ecosystem dynamics.
Details
- Title
- Improving the biological realism of predator–prey size relationships in food web models alters ecosystem dynamics
- Authors
- Kieran J. Murphy (Corresponding Author) - University of TasmaniaGretta T. Pecl (Author) - University of TasmaniaJason D. Everett (Author) - The University of QueenslandRyan F. Heneghan (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringShane A. Richards (Author) - University of TasmaniaAnthony J. Richardson (Author) - The University of QueenslandJayson M. Semmens (Author) - University of TasmaniaJulia L. Blanchard (Author) - University of Tasmania
- Publication details
- Biology Letters, Vol.19(10), pp.1-6
- Publisher
- The Royal Society Publishing
- Date published
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0142
- ISSN
- 1744-957X; 1744-9561
- Copyright note
- © 2023 The Authors. Published by the Royal Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution. License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, which permits unrestricted use, provided the original author and source are credited.
- Grants
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99971188102621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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