| 1. |
- Hansson, Lars-Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Consumption patterns, complexity and enrichment in aquatic food chains
- 1998
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of the Royal Society, London, B. - Royal Society Publishing. - 1471-2954 (Online) .- 0962-8452 (Print). ; 265:1399, s. 901-906
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The interactions between consumers and prey, and their impact on biomass distribution among trophic levels, are central issues in both empirical and theoretical ecology. In a long-term experiment, where all organisms, including the top predator, were allowed to respond to environmental conditions by reproduction, we tested predictions from `prey-dependent' and `ratio-dependent' models. Prey-dependent models made correct predictions only in the presence of strong interactors in simple food chains, but failed to predict patterns in more complex situations. Processes such as omnivory, consumer excretion, and unsuitable prey-size windows (invulnerable prey) increased the complexity and created patterns resembling ratio-dependent consumption. However, whereas the prey-dependent patterns were created by the mechanisms predicted by the model, ratio-dependent patterns were not, suggesting that they may be right for the wrong reason'. We show here that despite the enormous complexity of ecosystems, it is possible to identify and disentangle mechanisms responsible for observed patterns in community structure, as well as in biomass development of organisms ranging in size from bacteria to fish.
|
|
| 2. |
- Persson, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Effects of enrichment on simple aquatic food webs
- 2001
-
Ingår i: American Naturalist. - University of Chicago Press. - 0003-0147. ; 157:6, s. 654-669
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Simple models, based on Lotka-Volterra types of interactions between predator and prey, predict that enrichment will have a destabilizing effect on populations and that equilibrium population densities will change at the top trophic level and every second level below. We experimentally tested these predictions in three aquatic food web configurations subjected to either high or low nutrient additions. The results were structured by viewing the systems as either food chains or webs and showed that trophic level biomass increased with enrichment, which contradicts food chain theory. However, within each trophic level, food web configuration affected the extent to which different functional groups responded to enrichment. By dividing trophic levels into functional groups, based on vulnerability to consumption, we were able to identify significant effects that were obscured when systems were viewed as food chains. The results support the prediction that invulnerable prey may stabilize trophic-level dynamics by replacing other, more vulnerable prey. Furthermore, the vulnerable prey, such as Daphnia and edible algae, responded as predicted by the paradox of enrichment hypothesis; that is, variability in population density increased with enrichment. Hence, by describing ecosystems as a matrix of food web interactions, and by recognizing the interplay between interspecific competition and predation, a more complete description of the ecosystem function was obtained compared to when species were placed into distinct trophic levels.
|
|
| 3. |
- Nicolle, Alice, et al.
(författare)
-
Predicted warming and browning affect timing and magnitude of plankton phenological events in lakes: a mesocosm study
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Freshwater Biology. - Wiley-Blackwell. - 0046-5070. ; 57:4, s. 684-695
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- 1. Aquatic ecosystems in Northern Europe are expected to face increases in temperature and water colour (TB) in future. While effects of these factors have been studied separately, it is unknown whether and how a combination of them might affect phenological events and trophic interactions. 2. In a mesocosm study, we combined both factors to create conditions expected to arise during the coming century. We focused on quantifying effects on timing and magnitude of plankton spring phenological events and identifying possible mismatches between resources (phytoplankton) and consumers (zooplankton). 3. We found that the increases in TB had important effects on timing and abundance of different plankton groups. While increased temperature led to an earlier peak in phytoplankton and zooplankton and a change in the relative timing of different zooplankton groups, increased water colour reduced chlorophyll-a concentrations. 4. Increased TB together benefitted cladocerans and calanoid copepods and led to stronger top-down control of algae by zooplankton. There was no sign of a mismatch between primary producers and grazers as reported from other studies. 5. Our results point towards an earlier onset of plankton spring growth in shallow lakes in future with a stronger top-down control of phytoplankton by zooplankton grazers.
|
|
| 4. |
- Nilsson, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Behavioral interference and facilitation in the foraging cycle shape the functional response
- 2007
-
Ingår i: Behavioral Ecology. - Oxford University Press. - 1045-2249 .- 1465-7279. ; 18:2, s. 354-357
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Individual forager behaviors should affect per capita intake rates and thereby population and consumer-resource properties. We consider and incorporate conspecific facilitation and interference during the separate foraging-cycle stages in a functional response model that links individual behavioral interactions with consumer-resource processes. Our analyses suggest that failing to properly consider and include all effects of behavioral interactions on foraging-cycle stage performances may either over- or underestimate effects of interactions on the shape of both functional responses and predator zero-growth isoclines. Incorporation of prey- and predator-dependent interactions among foragers in the model produces predator isoclines with potentials for highly complex consumer-resource dynamics. Facilitation and interference during the foraging cycle are therefore suggested as potent behavioral mechanisms to cause patterns of community dynamics. We emphasize that correct estimations of interaction-mediated foraging-cycle efficiencies should be considered in empirical and theoretical attempts to further our understanding of the mechanistic link between social behaviors and higher order processes.
|
|
| 5. |
- Persson, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Foraging capacities and effects of competitive release on ontogenetic diet shift in bream, Abramis brama
- 2002
-
Ingår i: Oikos. - Blackwell Publishing. - 1600-0706 .- 0030-1299. ; 97:2, s. 271-281
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Bream Abramis brama) undergo ontogenetic diet shift from zooplankton to benthic macroinvertebrates, but the switching size may be highly variable. To unravel under what conditions bream are pelagic versus benthic foragers, we experimentally determined size-dependent foraging capacities on three prey types from the planktivory and benthivory niche: zooplankton, visible and buried macroinvertebrates. From these data we derived predictions of size-dependent diet preferences from estimates of prey value and competitive ability, and tested these predictions on diet data from the field. Planktivorous foraging capacity described a hump-shaped relationship with bream length that peaked for small bream of 67 mm total length. Benthivory capacity increased with increasing bream size, irrespective if benthic prey were visible on the sediment surface or buried in the sediment. From the experimental data and relationships of metabolic demand we calculated minimum resource requirement for maintenance (MRR) for each of the prey categories used in experiments. MRR increased with bream size for both zooplankton and visible chironomids, but decreased with bream size for buried chironomids, suggesting that intermediate sized bream (120-300 mm) may be competitively sandwiched between small and large bream that are more competitive planktivores and benthivores, respectively. Prey value estimates and competitive abilities qualitatively predicted diet shift in a bream population being released from competition. Competitive release did not change the diet of the largest size-class feeding on an optimal diet of benthic invertebrates both before and after competitive release. However, profound diet shifts towards benthic macro invertebrates were recorded for intermediate size-classes that fed on a suboptimal diet prior to competitive release. Thus, laboratory estimates of size-dependent foraging capacity of bream in planktivorous and benthivorous feeding niches provided useful information on size-specific competitive ability, and successfully predicted diet preference in the field.
|
|
| 6. |
- Persson, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Foraging capacity and resource synchronization in an ontogenetic diet switcher, pikeperch (Stizostedion lucioperca)
- 2002
-
Ingår i: Ecology. - Ecological Society of America. - 0012-9658. ; 83:11, s. 3014-3022
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Species undergoing ontogenetic diet shifts face a risk of resource competition that delays transitions between feeding stages. Such ontogenetic bottlenecks are common in piscivorous fish because competition with future prey may retard growth and prevent a size advantage. In pikeperch (Stizostedion lucioperca), year class strength of 0+ cohorts is highly variable and positively related to early onset of piscivory. To identify the causes of this pattern, we experimentally quantified size-dependent planktivorous and piscivorous foraging capacity and incorporated the data into a growth model. For any given prey type and size, foraging capacity described a hump-shaped relationship with predator size. Foraging capacity on daphnids peaked at a pikeperch length of 66 mm, suggesting a narrow scope of planktivory. The highest capacity in the piscivorous niche was reached at a predator-to-prey length ratio of 5, where the ratio was an integrated measure of predator size over several prey sizes. With the growth model, we derived size distributions of 0+ cohorts as functions of resource levels. Simulations revealed two major determinants for the year class strength of pikeperch. First, discontinuous availability of prey sizes counteracted switching to piscivory within the first growing season. This was accentuated by prey fish growth, which caused the planktivory and piscivory niches to separate over time and limited the time window when diet shift was possible. Second, the hump-shaped relationship between size and foraging capacity resulted in growth reduction when growing out of the planktivorous niche. Switching to piscivory in our model occurred along a perpendicular relationship between fish prey and zooplankton density. Zooplankton density determined whether pikeperch reached a size advantage over prey, and fish prey density affected whether the foraging return of piscivory was higher than planktivory. Individuals not reaching a size advantage over prey and failing to become piscivorous were stunted at a size when consumption balanced metabolic requirements. Piscivorous individuals, however, continued to grow fast throughout the season by feeding on the wave of the prey cohort. Our results highlight the importance for predators that shift diet to be synchronized with fluctuations in resource availability, such as the pulses of new cohorts of prey fish.
|
|
| 7. |
- Persson, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Pikeperch Sander lucioperca trapped between niches: foraging performance and prey selection in a piscivore on a planktivore diet
- 2008
-
Ingår i: JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY. - BLACKWELL PUBLISHING. - 0022-1112. ; 73:4, s. 793-808
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The foraging behaviour of planktivorous pikeperch Sander lucioperca during their first growing season was analysed. Field data showed that S. lucioperca feed on extremely rare prey at the end of the summer, suggesting the presence of a bottleneck. In experiments, foraging ability of planktivorous S. lucioperca was determined when fish were feeding on different prey types (Daphnia magna or Chaoborus spp.) and sizes (1). magna of lengths I or 2.5 turn) when they Occurred alone. Front these results, the minimum density requirement of each prey type was analysed. The energy gain for three different foraging strategies was estimated; a specialized diet based on either large D. magna or Chaoborus spp. or I generalist diet combining both prey types. Prey value estimates showed that Chaoborus Spp. Should be the preferred prey, assuming an energy maximizing principle. In prey choice experiments, S. lucioperca largely followed this principle, including D. magna in the diet only when the density of the Chaoborus spp). was below a threshold value. Splitting the foraging bout into different sequences, however, resulted in a somewhat different pattern. During an initial phase, S. lucioperca captured both prey as encountered and then switched to Chaoborus spp. if prey density wits above (he threshold level. The prey selection observed was mainly explained by sampling behaviour and incomplete information about environmental quality, whereas satiation only had marginal effects. It was concluded that the observed diet based on rare prey items wits in accordance with an optimal foraging strategy and may generate positive growth in the absence of prey fish in suitable sizes. (c) 2008 The Authors Journal compilation (c) 2008 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.
|
|
| 8. |
- Turesson, Håkan, et al.
(författare)
-
Prey size selection in piscivorous pikeperch (Stizostedion lucioperca) includes active prey choice
- 2002
-
Ingår i: Ecology of Freshwater Fish. - Blackwell Publishing. - 0906-6691. ; 11:4, s. 223-233
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Knowledge of the mechanisms behind prey selection in piscivorous fish is important for our understanding of the dynamics of freshwater systems. Prey selection can involve active predator choice or be a passive process. We experimentally studied size-selectivity in pikeperch, feeding on roach and rudd. When given a choice of different prey sizes, pikeperch selected small prey. Passive selection mechanisms ( encounter rate, capture success and satiation) could not fully explain the pattern of diet choice. Instead, behavioural analysis revealed that the pikeperch actively selected small-sized prey. Optimal foraging theory, predicting that predators will choose prey sizes giving highest energy return per time spent foraging, is assumed to explain active choice. We measured handling times for a range of prey sizes and found that the most profitable sizes were also the chosen ones, both in experiments and in the field. This suggests that pikeperch choose their prey to maximise energy intake per unit time.
|
|
