The effects of predators on fragmented prey populations: a case study for the conservation of endangered prey

We considered the problem of conserving small populations of prey by review ing observational and field experiments in search of general answers to the question of how predators impact upon their prey. We then explored the lik ely effectiveness of predator control as a conservation tool by simulating a small, fragmented population of prey. We chose red grouse in Britain as a n example of this general predicament. An individual-based population simul ation model was used to simulate the fate of a small red grouse population. The model was used to investigate the relative impacts of predation, habit at changes and stochastic factors associated with small population size on the viability of the population. Although most predator-prey studies have b een undertaken in temperate regions and only four studies found evidence of regulation, some generalizations arose. Predation can limit populations bu t generally did not drive the prey population to extinction. Extinction was more likely in cases involving an introduced predator on islands or in iso lated prey populations. The simulation model showed that at small populatio n sizes the stochastic factors were always significant, whereas environment al variation and habitat change had the greatest impact on large population s over the long term; predation was only a significant threatening factor w hen it occurred at a high rate, was more severe over the long term when pre dators took a constant proportion of the prey base, and when predation was across all age classes.