Ecological concepts: 1. Predator Functional Responses

Looks at effects on prey consumption of : predator satiation and ability to detect prey. It describes the relationship between the per capita rate of prey consumption and the number or density of prey. 3 Basic Patterns: Type I. - The rate of consumption per predator is proportional to prey density (no saltation), passive predator. Type II. - The rate of prey consumed per predator increases rapidly, then plateaus with increasing prey density, most common. Type III. - S shaped curve: predator response to prey is depressed at low prey density.