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Predation, grazing and disease - Population dynamics of predation

Q: In abundance, what tendency do prey and predator populations have?

They tend to undergo coupled oscillations ( cycles ).

Q: What does mutual interference mean regarding to predators?

That the consumption rate per individual predator declines with increasing predator density .

Q: What effect does crowding have on predator-prey cycles?

Crowding has a dampening effect on any predator-prey cycle , reducing or removing its amplitude. This is because each peak in a cycle tends itself to generate the next dip in the graph, so that the lowering of the peaks in itself tends to raise the dips and flattens out the cycle .

Q: What is a metapopulation?

A metapopulation is an overall population divided by the patchiness of the environment, into a series of subpopulations , each with its own internal dynamics but linked to each other by movement ( dispersal ) between patches.

4 important questions on Predation, grazing and disease - Population dynamics of predation

In abundance, what tendency do prey and predator populations have?

They tend to undergo coupled oscillations (cycles).

What does mutual interference mean regarding to predators?

That the consumption rate per individual predator declines with increasing predator density.

What effect does crowding have on predator-prey cycles?

Crowding has a dampening effect on any predator-prey cycle, reducing or removing its amplitude.

This is because each peak in a cycle tends itself to generate the next dip in the graph, so that the lowering of the peaks in itself tends to raise the dips and flattens out the cycle.

What is a metapopulation?

A metapopulation is an overall population divided by the patchiness of the environment, into a series of subpopulations, each with its own internal dynamics but linked to each other by movement (dispersal) between patches.