Predator-Prey (Patch) Dynamics Projects

Go to Patch Dynamics Team page

We are studying birds, mammals, and their forage bases to determine the consequences of spatial patterns (patches) on predator-prey dynamics.

We will seek to determine how groups of species are controlled -- by fishing, predators, food availability, the physical environment, or a combination of all four.

• Lead: Andrew Trites; Co-PIs: Kelly Benoit-Bird, Vernon Byrd, Jackie Grebmeier, Scott Heppell, David Irons, Chad Jay, Sasha Kitaysky, Kathy Kuletz, Dan Roby
• Foraging studies of fur seal + walrus; colony-based fur seal pup studies (Pribilofs and St. Lawrence)
• Foraging studies of common murres + black-legged kittiwakes; chick diet + condition studies (Pribilofs and Bogoslof)
• Statement of Work (Bogoslof)
• Statement of Work (Pribilofs and St. Lawrence)
• 2008 Field Notes (Pribilofs and Bogoslof)

What is patch dynamics?

We define “patches” as significant spatial variation in any feature of prey that is important for exploitation by predators. Prey patches may occur at scales of <1 meter to several kilometers, and may last anywhere from minutes to months.

Patches also vary in species composition, biomass, energy content of prey, and distribution (size of patch, density within a patch, density of patches, and distance from colony/rookery).

We don't know how top predators respond to variability in prey patches (patch dynamics) and the consequence this has on population dynamics of top predators in the Bering Sea. We need this fundamental information to predict how the Bering Sea ecosystem will respond to global warming.

Patch dynamics on the radio

Head up to the Pribilof Islands and out in the Bering Sea with Elizabeth Arnold as she learns how patch dynamics research is helping us to understand how changing climate might impact this special place. Hear Encounters: Patch Dynamics

See also

• Bogoslof and Pribilof fieldwork from 2008
• Kittiwake colony fieldwork from 2008
• At-sea patch dynamics fieldwork from 2009

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Acronyms Revealed!
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The BEST-BSIERP Bering Sea Project is a six-year study of the Bering Sea ecosystem,
from the benthos and the atmosphere to human communities, and everything in between.
NORTH PACIFIC RESEARCH BOARD   NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

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