Individual-based model of yellow perch and walleye populations in Oneida Lake

Journal Article · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Ecological Monographs

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9615(1999)069[0127:IBMOYP]2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:345120

Rose, K A ^[1]; Rutherford, E S ^[2]; McDermot, D S ^[3]; Forney, J L; Mills, E L ^[4]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States). Environmental Sciences Div.
2. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States). Inst. for Fisheries Research
3. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States). Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
4. Cornell Univ. Biological Station, Bridgeport, NY (United States)

Predator-prey dynamics and density dependence are fundamental issues in ecology. The authors use a detailed, individual-based model of walleye and yellow perch to investigate the effects of alternative prey and compensatory responses on predator and prey population dynamics. The analyses focus on the numerical and developmental responses of the predator, rather than the traditional emphasis on functional responses. The extensive database for Oneida Lake, New York, USA was used to configure the model and ensure its realism. The model follows the daily growth, mortality, and spawning of individuals of each species through their lifetime. Three ecologically distinct periods in the history of Oneida Lake were simulated: baseline, high mayfly densities, and high forage fish densities. Mayflies and forage fish act as alternative prey for walleye. For model corroboration, the three periods were simulated sequentially as they occurred in Oneida Lake. Model predictions of abundances, size at age, and growth and survival rates compared favorably with Oneida Lake data. Three hypotheses suggested by the data were evaluated: alternative prey stabilizes yellow perch and walleye populations; alternative prey increases yellow perch and walleye recruitment; and density-dependent growth and survival compensate for changes in young-of-the-year mortality. Model simulations were performed under increased mayfly densities, increased forage fish densities, and increased egg mortality rates.

• Sponsoring Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-96OR22464
• OSTI ID: 345120
• Journal Information: Ecological Monographs, Journal Name: Ecological Monographs Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 69; ISSN 0012-9615; ISSN ECMOAQ
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ECOLOGY
FISHES
LAKES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
POPULATION DYNAMICS
PREDATOR-PREY INTERACTIONS
TENNESSEE