The natural value of Dutch sandy beaches has been declining for decades. These relatively unstable, low nutritious, wave-washed environments lack the primary producers that represent the base of the food web. Thus, the sandy beach food web relies almost entirely on nutrient influx of other systems. Beside …

Camera trap technology has galvanized the study of predator-prey ecology in wild animal communities by expanding the scale and diversity of predator-prey interactions that can be analyzed. While observational data from systematic camera arrays have informed inferences on the spatiotemporal outcomes of …

Insect hyperparasitoids are fourth trophic level organisms that commonly occur in terrestrial food webs, yet they are relatively understudied. These top-carnivores can disrupt biological pest control by suppressing the populations of their parasitoid hosts, leading to pest outbreaks, especially in confined …

1. Diets that maximise life span often differ from diets that maximise reproduction. Animals have therefore evolved advanced foraging strategies to acquire optimal nutrition and maximise their fitness. The free-living adult females of parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) need to balance their search for hosts …

Spatial variation in habitat riskiness has a major influence on the predator–prey space race. However, the outcome of this race can be modulated if prey shares enemies with fellow prey (i.e., another prey species). Sharing of natural enemies may result in apparent competition, and its implications for …

Urban areas are growing faster and in many cases create a fragmented landscape, threatening biodiversity. There are numerous organisms that can adapt to urbanization, such as insects. Multiple studies show a worldwide decline in their numbers. Insects are indispensable because of their important ecosystem …

Coastal soft-sediment habitats are some of the most valued ecosystems due to their high productivity, sustaining coastal food webs. However, coastal soft-sediment habitats are under pressure due to human activity and sea level rise. To preserve or restore soft-sediment habitats different management strategies …

During times of high activity by predators and competitors, herbivores may be forced to forage in patches of low‐quality food. However, the relative importance in determining where and what herbivores forage still remains unclear, especially for small‐ and intermediate‐sized herbivores. Our objective …

This study aimed to get more insight into the habitat use and distribution of three sandeel species (Ammodytes sp. & H. lanceolatus) in the Voordelta and describes the findings regarding the Voordelta as a transitional habitat for sandeel populations. As compensation for loss of habitat and foraging …

Recently, Lévy walks have been put forward as a new paradigm for animalsearch and many cases have been made for its presence in nature. However,it remains debated whether Lévy walks are an inherent behavioural strategyor emerge from the animal reacting to its habitat. Here, we demonstratesignatures …