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Predator-Prey Interactions in an Individual Based Model

Predator-Prey Interactions in an Individual Based Model. Ditte Katrine Hendrichsen NERI / University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Population Cycles in Small Rodents. Ecological background The aim of this project Methods - ALMaSS Preliminary results. Background.

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Predator-Prey Interactions in an Individual Based Model

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  1. Predator-Prey Interactions in an Individual Based Model Ditte Katrine Hendrichsen NERI / University of Copenhagen, Denmark

  2. Population Cycles in Small Rodents • Ecological background • The aim of this project • Methods - ALMaSS • Preliminary results

  3. Background • Population cycles are known in a number of species • The population cycles of small rodents in Fenno-Scandia show a characteristic north-south gradient • Several theories proposed to explain the cycles • One these is the Specialist-Generalist Predation Hypothesis or the Predation Theory

  4. The Predation Theory • The composition of predator species • Primarily specialists in north • Stoat (Mustela erminea) and Weasel (M. nivalis) • Greater diversity of predators towards south including more generalist species • Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)

  5. The Predation Theory • The composition of predator species • The presence of snow cover • Landscape heterogeneity

  6. What Do I Want to Know? • Can we generate cycles just by adding and changing predators? • What are the effects in the prey dynamics when different scenarios are run? • simulations with and without predators and different ratios of generalists and specialist predators • simulations with different spatial characteristics

  7. Methods • Model: ALMaSS • Landscape model • Animal model • Model species: Field vole (Microtus agrestris)

  8. The Predator Elements in ALMaSS • Death and reproduction rates • Home range size, the size of the search area within the home range • Efficiency • How long they stay in a particular area and how far they move

  9. Preliminary Results I

  10. Preliminary Results II

  11. Preliminary Results III

  12. Preliminary Results IV

  13. ALMaSS in Theoretical Population Ecology • Modelling may allow us to test scenarios which does not occur in nature • Effects of weather • Landscape structure and management • Fauna composition

  14. ALMaSS in Theoretical Population Ecology • Modelling may allow us to test scenarios which do not occur in nature • ...and to run scenarios over several years, testing the long term influence of different parameters

  15. Acknowledgements • Chris Topping Department of Landscape Ecology, National Environmental Research Institute, Denmark • Mads Forchhammer Department of Population Ecology, Institute of Zoology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

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