Modelling the dynamic spatio-temporal response of predators to transient prey patches in the field

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Winder, L., Alexander, C. J., Holland, J. M., Woolley, C. and Perry, J. N. 2001. Modelling the dynamic spatio-temporal response of predators to transient prey patches in the field. Ecology Letters. 4 (6), pp. 568-576. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1461-0248.2001.00269.x

AuthorsWinder, L., Alexander, C. J., Holland, J. M., Woolley, C. and Perry, J. N.
Abstract

The spatio-temporal dynamics of two aphid species (Metopolophium dirhodum and Sitobion arenae) and a generalist predator (Pterostichus melanarius) were observed in a field-scale study using a grid of 256 sampling locations with a 12-m spacing. Using Spatial Analysis by Distance Indices we demonstrate that populations show ephemeral spatial pattern at the field scale. We observed a positive, lagged beetle response to this aphid pattern; Conversely, the aphids displayed a negative, lagged response to beetle spatial pattern. Examination of the local structure of the spatio-temporal dynamics revealed a strong response by the beetle population to aphid patches. The temporal structure of spatial associations between the species shows a strong correspondence with those from a conceptual model of predator-prey spatial interaction. The spatially coupled dynamics were sufficiently strong for the predator to have a negative effect on the intrinsic rate of increase of their prey.

KeywordsEcology
Year of Publication2001
JournalEcology Letters
Journal citation4 (6), pp. 568-576
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1461-0248.2001.00269.x
Open accessPublished as non-open access
Funder project or code433
510
Project: 4030
Research into spatio-temporal dynamics for ecological and agricultural populations
PublisherWiley
ISSN1461-023X

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