Modeling multiple nonconsumptive effects in simple food webs: a modified Lotka–Volterra approach

Nonconsumptive effects are an important component of many ecological systems. Yet, modeling these interactions has proven challenging, with the few current models being either overly simplified or very complex. Here I build on the idea of predator interference to derive a model that is both flexible and intuitive. The model is derived using a 4-species food web that includes multiple nonconsumptive effects (NCEs) and interactions among them, though this approach may be adaptable to larger ecological communities. I apply this model to 2 example systems—a stream community and a coffee insect community—and discuss how the incorporation of NCEs changes the dynamics of each system. In the Appendix, I discuss the empirical data and statistics necessary to parameterize the model in hopes that future empirical studies will include additional experiments that can inform modeling frameworks such as the one proposed here. Empirically informed theoretical studies will help evaluate the importance of NCEs on the long-term dynamics of simple communities.