A generic simulation of a multi-predator and a multi-prey interaction incorporating species coactions

• Main Authors: Mori, Erika P., Que, Julie S.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1999
• Subjects: Predation (Biology); Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/4475
• Institution: De La Salle University

Predator-prey interactions are important in the regulation of natural systems. This thesis shows a constructed generic simulation of a five predator-five prey interaction to know how predators and prey are interdependent, to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of multiple predators and prey on the outcomes of multi predator-prey interaction. The STELLA 5.0 (version) software was used to diagram the concepts and relationships that were involved in running simulations. The model incorporated two types of predation, namely, herbivory and carnivory. Competition was also shown implicitly by changing the catching efficiency. Sensitivity analyses and parameter changes were done in exploring possible scenarios. It was hard to fit the assumptions of previous studies of single predator-single prey systems on five predator-five prey model constructed because they were quite different. Predators and prey were interdependent. A single change in any one of the components in the model, for example, from decreasing the initial number of a prey species, direct and indirect effects arises. The direct effect was that its population 36 years after would decrease. The indirect effect was that because of the decrease in the number of a specific prey species, other prey populations increased which led to the increase of predators. The intrinsic rate of growth or the birth fraction showed that it strongly affected prey populations because when the birth fraction of White was decreased, the White population after 36 years declined to zero. Area also affected populations of both predators and prey that when it was increased, the population also increased and when it was decreased, the population also decreased. Death fraction was also important since it had shown that the predator populations depend upon the prey density. The significance of this is to serve as a fundamental model for others who intend to learn more about predator-prey interactions. It is our view that this will help advance the field of study.