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Flexible foraging behaviour increases predator vulnerability to climate change

Author

Listed:
  • Benoit Gauzens

    (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
    Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

  • Benjamin Rosenbaum

    (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
    Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

  • Gregor Kalinkat

    (Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries)

  • Thomas Boy

    (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
    Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

  • Malte Jochum

    (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig
    Leipzig University
    Biocenter, University of Würzburg)

  • Susanne Kortsch

    (University of Helsinki)

  • Eoin J. O’Gorman

    (University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park)

  • Ulrich Brose

    (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
    Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

Abstract

Higher temperatures are expected to reduce species coexistence by increasing energetic demands. However, flexible foraging behaviour could balance this effect by allowing predators to target specific prey species to maximize their energy intake, according to principles of optimal foraging theory. Here we test these assumptions using a large dataset comprising 2,487 stomach contents from six fish species with different feeding strategies, sampled across environments with varying prey availability over 12 years in Kiel Bay (Baltic Sea). Our results show that foraging shifts from trait- to density-dependent prey selectivity in warmer and more productive environments. This behavioural change leads to lower consumption efficiency at higher temperature as fish select more abundant but less energetically rewarding prey, thereby undermining species persistence and biodiversity. By integrating this behaviour into dynamic food web models, our study reveals that flexible foraging leads to lower species coexistence and biodiversity in communities under global warming.

Suggested Citation

  • Benoit Gauzens & Benjamin Rosenbaum & Gregor Kalinkat & Thomas Boy & Malte Jochum & Susanne Kortsch & Eoin J. O’Gorman & Ulrich Brose, 2024. "Flexible foraging behaviour increases predator vulnerability to climate change," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 14(4), pages 387-392, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:14:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1038_s41558-024-01946-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-024-01946-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Florian D. Schneider & Ulrich Brose & Björn C. Rall & Christian Guill, 2016. "Animal diversity and ecosystem functioning in dynamic food webs," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-8, November.
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