The impact of non-linear functional responses on the long-term evolution of food web structure

Details The impact of non-linear functional responses on the long-term evolution of food web structure The impact of non-linear functional responses on the long-term evolution of food web structure

2004-01-19

arxiv.org/abs/q-bio/0401025v1

Biology

Quantitative Biology

Populations and Evolution

16 pages, 7 figures

Scientific paper

We investigate the long-term web structure emerging in evolutionary food web models when different types of functional responses are used. We find that large and complex webs with several trophic layers arise only if the population dynamics is such that it allows predators to focus on their best prey species. This can be achieved using modified Lotka-Volterra or Holling/Beddington functional responses with effective couplings that depend on the predator's efficiency at exploiting the prey, or a ratio-dependent functional response with adaptive foraging. In contrast, if standard Lotka-Volterra or Holling/Beddington functional responses are used, long-term evolution generates webs with almost all species being basal, and with additionally many links between these species. Interestingly, in all cases studied, a large proportion of weak links result naturally from the evolution of the food webs.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The impact of non-linear functional responses on the long-term evolution of food web structure does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The impact of non-linear functional responses on the long-term evolution of food web structure, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The impact of non-linear functional responses on the long-term evolution of food web structure will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-570039