The paradox of enrichment in an adaptive world

• Published in: Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences Vol. 275; no. 1651; pp. 2563 - 2568
• Main Authors: Mougi, Akihiko, Nishimura, Kinya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London The Royal Society 22-11-2008
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological - physiology; Animals; Biological Evolution; Diet; Evolution; Food Chain; Food webs; Foraging; Models, Biological; Optimal Foraging; Paradox Of Enrichment; Paradoxes; Personality traits; Phenotypic traits; Population density; Population Dynamics; Predator-Prey; Predators; Predatory Behavior - physiology; Research Article; Stabilization
• ISSN: 0962-8452; 1471-2954
• DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2008.0889

Paradoxically, enrichment can destabilize a predator-prey food web. While adaptive dynamics can greatly influence the stability of interaction systems, few theoretical studies have examined the effect of the adaptive dynamics of interaction-related traits on the possibility of resolution of the paradox of enrichment. We consider the evolution of attack and defence traits of a predator and two prey species in a one predator-two prey system in which the predator practises optimal diet use. The results showed that optimal foraging alone cannot eliminate a pattern of destabilization with enrichment, but trait evolution of the predator or prey can change the pattern to one of stabilization, implying a possible resolution of the paradox of enrichment. Furthermore, trait evolution in all species can broaden the parameter range of stabilization. Importantly, rapid evolution can stabilize this system, but weaken its stability in the face of enrichment.