An ecoepidemic food chain with the disease at the intermediate trophic level

TL;DR

This paper models a three-level food chain with an epidemic at the intermediate level, revealing that increasing food supply to the prey can paradoxically eradicate both the top predator and the disease under certain conditions.

Contribution

It introduces two models of a food chain with disease dynamics, exploring how food supply impacts predator and disease control, revealing counterintuitive outcomes.

Findings

Large food supply to prey can eradicate disease and predators

Counterintuitive effects related to the paradox of enrichment

Different model assumptions lead to similar qualitative results

Abstract

We consider a three-level food chain in which an epidemics affects the intermediate population. Two models are presented, respectively either allowing for unlimited food supply for the bottom prey, or instead assuming for it a logistic growth. Counterintuitive results related to the paradox of enrichment are obtained, showing that by providing large amounts of food to the bottom prey, the top predator and the disease in suitable situations can be eradicated.