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Caught between two Allee effects: trade-off between reproduction and predation risk
Viola Pavlová1, Ludĕk Berec, David S Boukal
1Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovská 31, 370 05 Ceské Budejovice, Czech Republic. viola.pavlo@gmail.com
Journal of Theoretical Biology
|March 16, 2010
Summary
Reproduction can increase predation risk, impacting population survival. Understanding the trade-off between reproduction and predation is crucial for managing endangered species and pests.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Population Dynamics
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Reproductive activities often increase vulnerability to predators, creating a trade-off between reproduction and survival.
- Populations face Allee effects from both mate-finding difficulties and predation risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model the population-dynamical consequences of the reproduction-predation trade-off.
- To analyze population viability and resilience under mate-finding and predation Allee effects.
- To identify conditions influencing population survival or extinction based on trade-off characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized simple mathematical models to explore population dynamics.
- Investigated various trade-off shapes and strengths.
- Examined the impact of predator removal or addition on population persistence.
Main Results:
- Population survival is contingent on the shape and strength of the reproduction-predation trade-off.
- Extinction can occur universally, or within specific ranges of reproductive activity levels.
- Predator removal is least effective for populations with low reproductive costs of predation; predator addition is most effective for those with high costs.
Conclusions:
- Knowledge of the specific trade-off is critical for effective conservation or pest control strategies.
- Intermediate reproductive activity levels may be essential for survival in some scenarios but detrimental in others.
- Population fate under these antagonistic Allee effects necessitates case-by-case evaluation, with potential for simultaneous trade-offs and Allee effects observed in nature.
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