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Red in tooth and claw: how top predators shape terrestrial ecosystems
Article first published online: 7 JUN 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2010.01706.x
© 2010 The Author. Journal compilation © 2010 British Ecological Society
Additional Information
How to Cite
Johnson, C. N. (2010), Red in tooth and claw: how top predators shape terrestrial ecosystems. Journal of Animal Ecology, 79: 723–725. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2010.01706.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 7 JUN 2010
- Article first published online: 7 JUN 2010
- Received 28 March 2010; accepted 20 April 2010 Handling Editor: Corey Bradshaw
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Elmhagen, B., Ludwig, G., Rushton, S.P., Helle, P. & Linden, H. (2010) Top predators, mesopredators and their prey: interference ecosystems along bioclimatic productivity gradients. Journal of Animal Ecology79, 785–794.
Top predators are increasingly recognized as important regulators of ecosystem structure. Elmhagen et al. in this issue show how a recolonizing population of lynx in Finland is in the process of imposing control of the abundance of a mesopredator, the red fox and relaxing predation pressure on a prey species. Their study shows how ecological restoration programs could use the power of top predators to limit mesopredator populations and control total predation pressure on prey species.