The ecology of fear in estuarine communities: cascading effects of multiple predators (original) (raw)

The role of predation has long influenced our understanding of ecological processes from the individual to the landscape level. Recent interest in the role of nonconsumptive effects of predators, or the consequences of prey defensive behaviors in response to predation risk, has revolutionized how ecologists perceive the role of predators in ecological communities. From focusing on how individual predators affect prey risk taking behaviors and foraging tactics, to the consequences of these behavioral shifts for ecosystem functions and services including primary production, nutrient cycling and energy transfer, we now know that the mere presence of predators can sometimes be more important than their lethal effects on prey density. However, predicting the cascading effects of multiple predator assemblages is often challenging and counterintuitive due to the consequences of behavioral interactions among predators and their prey. I tested the effects of predator presence, identity and r...

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