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CAN HOST–PARASITOID METAPOPULATIONS EXPLAIN SUCCESSFUL BIOLOGICAL CONTROL?
Author(s) -
Kean John M.,
Barlow Nigel D.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.1890/0012-9658(2000)081[2188:chpmes]2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - metapopulation , parasitoid , host (biology) , ecology , biology , persistence (discontinuity) , parasitism , range (aeronautics) , biological system , population , demography , biological dispersal , materials science , geotechnical engineering , sociology , engineering , composite material
Host–parasitoid models with host density dependence were used to investigate the features that maximize biological control success. Relationships were derived in nonspatial models between parasitism level and host suppression at equilibrium. Spatially explicit metapopulation models could produce higher host suppression, and over a larger range of parameters, than nonspatial models. However, persistence of the metapopulation interaction depended critically on the starting conditions; for a realistic biological control starting point, a maximum mean suppression of 84% was compatible with persistence, although much greater host suppression could be achieved from less realistic initial conditions. This result was unchanged by spatial stochasticity. Overall metapopulation dynamics, as well as those of individual subpopulations, were best modeled by random parasitoid attack, even when the true attack behavior was otherwise. Fitting such models suggested that an independent estimate of host carrying capacity may be required when estimating host rate of increase from subpopulation data within a host–parasitoid metapopulation.