FoRAGE database: A compilation of functional responses for consumers and parasitoids

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Ecological Modeling

Background:

• Functional responses are crucial for understanding consumer-resource interactions and their impact on population dynamics and food web structure.
• Quantifying these relationships is essential for ecological research and conservation efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a comprehensive global database of functional responses and their parameters.
• To standardize the analysis of functional responses using a Type II model.
• To provide a valuable resource for researchers studying ecological interactions.

Main Methods:

• Compiled a database of 2598 standardized functional responses from published literature.
• Refitted functional responses using a standardized Type II model.
• Extracted and reported fitted parameters alongside experimental conditions, species taxonomy, and habitat data.

Main Results:

• The FoRAGE database includes diverse consumer and resource species across various ecosystems.
• Standardized parameters from the Type II model are provided for each functional response.
• Data encompass experimental conditions, consumer/resource types, and foraging interaction dimensionality.

Conclusions:

• The FoRAGE database offers a standardized, global dataset for studying functional responses.
• This living dataset will be updated, serving as a dynamic resource for ecological research.
• The database facilitates a deeper understanding of consumer-resource dynamics and food web ecology.