Disentangling the nonlinear effects of habitat complexity on functional responses

Mgr. Pavel SOUKUP

Rigorózní práce

Abstract:

Habitat structural complexity modifies trophic interactions by providing refuges and altering predator and prey behavior. The quality and intensity of predator prey interactions can be described by functional responses, that is by the relationship between the number of preys consumed by a predator and initial prey density. We combine two complementary methods of functional response estimation to examine the effects of habitat complexity on the predation of Aeshna cyanea dragonfly larva on Chaoborus obscuripes glassworm larvae. We show that habitat complexity has nonlinear effects on functional response parameters (attack rate and handling time), despite the prevalence of stepwise responses reported in literature. Our results suggest that detailed understanding of habitat complexity effects on food webs requires complementary experimental approaches across a gradient of habitat complexity and should also consider predator and prey behavior.

Jazyk práce: čeština

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 28. 2. 2022

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

JIHOČESKÁ UNIVERZITA V ČESKÝCH BUDĚJOVICÍCH

Přírodovědecká fakulta

Rigorózní řízení / obor:
Biologie / Biologie ekosystémů