loading page

Effect of scavenging on predation in a food web
  • +5
  • Jarad Pope Mellard,
  • Sandra Hamel,
  • John-Andre Henden,
  • Rolf Ims,
  • Filippo Marolla,
  • Audun Stien,
  • Torkild Tveraa,
  • Nigel Yoccoz
Jarad Pope Mellard
UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Sandra Hamel
Université Laval
Author Profile
John-Andre Henden
UiT Arctic University of Norway, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway
Author Profile
Rolf Ims
University of Tromso
Author Profile
Filippo Marolla
UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Author Profile
Audun Stien
NINA
Author Profile
Torkild Tveraa
Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)
Author Profile
Nigel Yoccoz
UiT Arctic University of Norway
Author Profile

Abstract

Scavenging can have important consequences for food web dynamics, for example, it may support additional consumer species and affect predation on live prey. Still, few food web models include scavenging. We develop a dynamic model that includes predators, scavengers, live prey, and a carrion pool to show ramifications of scavenging for predation in simple food webs. We explicitly model carrion biomass and scavenging behavior and investigate the effect of scavenging for predation under different assumptions. Our modeling suggests that the presence of scavengers can both increase and decrease predator kill rates and overall predation in model food webs and the impact varies (in magnitude and direction) with context. In particular, we explore the impact of the amount of dynamics allowed in the predator, scavenger, and prey populations as well as the direction and magnitude of interference competition between predators and scavengers. We provide a road map to the different outcomes and link these theoretical outcomes to evidence from different empirical studies.
28 Jun 2020Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
29 Jun 2020Submission Checks Completed
29 Jun 2020Assigned to Editor
03 Jul 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Oct 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Nov 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
28 Feb 20211st Revision Received
01 Mar 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Mar 2021Submission Checks Completed
01 Mar 2021Assigned to Editor
17 Mar 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
03 May 2021Published in Ecology and Evolution. 10.1002/ece3.7525