QUADRAT DTP CASE: Rewilding and the return of interacting meso-predators: Understanding, modelling and monitoring predator-prey dynamics in non-equili

QUADRAT DTP 案例：重新野化和相互作用的中观捕食者的回归：理解、建模和监测非平衡中的捕食者-猎物动态

• 批准号: 2605777
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University of Aberdeen
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Studentship
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2021 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2605777
• 关键词: QUADRAT; DTP; CASE; Rewilding; return

Predation is an influential trophic interaction in ecosystems that may limit or regulate the abundance of prey species. Predator-prey interactions involving specialist predators may be tight and reciprocal between pairs of species, sometimes leading to population cycles. Where generalist predators, which are adept at prey switching, are present, interactions may be more diffuse, involving a larger number of species. While ecological theory concerning predator-prey interactions is well developed, it generally does not account for spatial variation in the distribution of the alternative prey species that are available to generalists. Modelling of non-spatial approximations typically assumes random mixing of individuals and spatially uniform strength of interactions between predator and prey species. However, prey species are often spatially heterogeneously distributed in real ecosystems, reflecting variation in the distribution of habitats and preferences, and for some cyclical populations, self-organised patterns such as travelling waves. Therefore, the scope for individual predators experiencing scarcity of their favoured prey to switch their attention to alternative prey is also heterogenous in space. Furthermore, intraguild predation, where one species kills and consumes another is commonplace. The aims of this studentship are i) to advance understanding of how spatial variation in the abundance of interacting predators and their prey switching response creates spatial heterogeneity in predation pressure and prey performance ii) to determine under what circumstances endangered prey may benefit from partial refuges from predation, an issue with multiple applications to conservation. Long term ecosystem studies, much existing data and the spread of pine martens in Kielder Forest create an opportunity to understand how the impacts of multiple predators may be additive, or whether interactions between predators, such as facilitations or intra-guild predation, may contribute to high spatial heterogeneity in predation pressure. Here, tawny owl demography reflects variation in the abundance of field voles. Tawny owls fall prey to goshawks and pine martens. Martens scavenge goshawk kills. Martens and foxes also rely on field voles in years of peak abundance. Research objectives are broadly - To characterise spatial patterns in abundance and demographic variation in selected prey, meso- and top predator species, and how these patterns relate to the abundance of predators.- To characterise spatial patterns in predation pressure experienced by prey and mesopredator species with potentially strong interactions with higher trophic levels using e.g. camera traps, capture recapture, occupancy modelling.- To characterise the processes, including prey switching, intra- and interspecific interactions amongst predators and selectivity of predation towards some age classes, that may contribute to the above patterns. - To synthesise empirical information in spatially explicit models of this subset of the vertebrate community to generate predictions on the way ecosystems may change while experiencing trophic rewilding.This CASE studentship is a partnership with Forestry England providing opportunities to gain experience in multi-use land management. Applicants will be enthused by population and community ecology, eager to collect field data during ~6 months/year, have an aptitude and eagerness to gain training with statistical analysis and be keen to work with practitioners. A driving licence is essential.

捕食是生态系统中一种重要的营养相互作用，它可以限制或调节被捕食物种的丰度。捕食者与猎物的相互作用，包括专业捕食者可能是紧密的和互惠的物种对之间，有时导致人口周期。在善于转换猎物的多面手捕食者存在的地方，相互作用可能更加分散，涉及更多的物种。虽然关于捕食者-猎物相互作用的生态学理论已经发展得很好，但它通常不考虑通才可获得的替代猎物物种分布的空间变化。非空间近似模型通常假设随机混合的个人和空间均匀的捕食者和猎物物种之间的相互作用的强度。然而，猎物物种往往是空间异质分布在真实的生态系统，反映了栖息地和偏好的分布变化，并为一些周期性的人口，自我组织的模式，如行波。因此，在空间上，个体捕食者在经历其青睐的猎物稀缺时将注意力转向替代猎物的范围也是异质的。此外，一个物种杀死并吃掉另一个物种的行会内捕食是司空见惯的。这个学生的目的是i）促进了解如何在相互作用的捕食者和他们的猎物切换响应的丰度的空间变化创建捕食压力和猎物性能的空间异质性ii）确定在什么情况下濒危猎物可能受益于部分避难所从捕食，一个问题与多个应用程序保护。长期的生态系统研究，现有的数据和蔓延的松貂在基尔德森林创造了一个机会，了解多个捕食者的影响可能是加性的，或者是否捕食者之间的相互作用，如便利或行会内捕食，可能有助于捕食压力的高空间异质性。在这里，黄褐色猫头鹰的人口统计反映了田鼠数量的变化。黄褐色猫头鹰成为苍鹰和松貂的猎物。Martens Goshawk杀死。貂和狐狸在数量最多的年份也依赖田鼠。研究目标是广泛的-在选定的猎物，中型和顶级捕食者物种的丰度和人口变化的空间格局，以及这些模式如何与捕食者的丰度。利用相机陷阱、捕获再捕获、占用建模等方法，研究被捕食者和中捕食者物种所经历的捕食压力的空间格局，这些物种可能与较高的营养级发生强烈的相互作用。探讨可能导致上述模式的过程，包括猎物转换、捕食者之间的种内和种间相互作用以及捕食对某些年龄组的选择性。- 为了在脊椎动物群落的这一子集的空间明确的模型中综合经验信息，以生成对生态系统可能发生变化的方式的预测，同时经历营养rewilding.This案例学生奖学金是与英格兰林业合作，提供机会，以获得多用途土地管理的经验。申请人将热衷于人口和社区生态学，渴望在6个月/年内收集实地数据，有能力和渴望获得统计分析培训，并热衷于与从业人员合作。驾驶执照是必不可少的。