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Coupled predator-prey oscillations in a chaotic food web
Elisa Benincà1, Klaus D Jöhnk, Reinhard Heerkloss
1Aquatic Microbiology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 127, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Ecology Letters
|October 23, 2009
Summary
Marine plankton communities exhibit anti-phase predator-prey cycles driven by competition, leading to chaotic dynamics and species coexistence. This non-equilibrium mechanism ensures dynamic food webs and prevents competitive exclusion.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Marine Biology
- Population Dynamics
Background:
- Predator-prey cycles can exhibit synchronization or chaos depending on coupling mechanisms.
- Theory suggests in-phase cycles with generalist predators and anti-phase cycles with prey competition.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate predator-prey oscillations in a long-term marine plankton experiment.
- Analyze the coupling mechanisms and resulting dynamics within the plankton community.
Main Methods:
- Utilized wavelet analysis to study species fluctuations in a marine plankton community.
- Examined phase relationships between predator-prey cycles to infer coupling mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Observed two predator-prey cycles fluctuating largely in anti-phase.
- Phase angles indicated strong phytoplankton competition and limited zooplankton prey overlap.
- Food web architecture consistent with plankton size structure, generating dynamic food webs.
Conclusions:
- Anti-phase cycles suggest strong inter-phytoplankton competition and minimal inter-zooplankton prey overlap.
- Chaotic shifts between predator-prey cycles facilitate prey species coexistence via a 'killing-the-winner' mechanism.
- The system demonstrates a dynamic, non-equilibrium food web structure.
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