Modeling the Fear Effect in Predator-Prey Interactions with Adaptive Avoidance of Predators

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Mathematical Biology
• Behavioral Ecology

Background:

• Field experiments reveal predator presence significantly impacts prey demography.
• Prey fear of predators enhances survival but incurs reproductive costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a predator-prey model incorporating the cost of fear and adaptive predator avoidance.
• To analyze the interplay between fear effects, maturation delay, and population dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Mathematical modeling of predator-prey interactions.
• Analysis of population dynamics, including equilibrium stability.
• Numerical simulations to explore the effects of fear, adaptation, and predator population size.

Main Results:

• Fear effects and maturation delay interact to determine long-term population dynamics.
• Intermediate maturation delays can destabilize positive equilibria, while large delays may restore stability.
• Strong prey adaptation and high fear costs destabilize interactions; large predator populations stabilize them.

Conclusions:

• Prey exhibit stronger anti-predator behaviors with larger predator populations.
• Prey show weaker anti-predator behaviors when the cost of fear is higher.
• The model provides insights into the complex dynamics of predator-prey systems influenced by fear and behavior.