Predation Fear, Prey Behavior, and Community Structure: A Brief Review of Their Relationship

Abstract

The main aim of this research is to review the relationship between predation fear, prey behavior, and community structure or assembly. The relationship between prey and predator is shaped around the risk of predation. A non-consumptive impact of predators on their prey seems to be more extensive and diverse, with significant consequences for community structure and function of the ecosystem. Predators have a strong direct and indirect effect on ecological communities by intimidating their prey. Ecological context including habitat structure and identity of species have influenced the strength and nature of nonconsumptive effects and hence it may alter the outcome of intimidation of predator. Further, this study uses secondary data collection methods. The relationship between predation fear and aging behavior of prey, reproduction behavior of prey and territorial defense strategies of prey are detailed in the prior literature review. Since a wide range of wildlife is under existential crisis especially the predators, there is a need to understand the predator-prey relation. In the future, this work can be detailed by collecting the primary data source through a quantitative approach among various investigators.