Insights for managers from modeling species interactions across multiple scales in an idealized landscape

• An agent-based model demonstrates the effects of connectivity on tri-trophic interactions on a simplified landscape.
• The model provides information as to how management interventions can change species persistence on a dynamic landscape.
• The model examines the ramifications of decision-making based upon information at two different scales.
• Additionally, the results compare decision-making based on three types of monitoring.
• The discussion situates the results in the language and practice of adaptive management.

In recent years there has been a shift in biodiversity efforts from protected areas to one of interlinked habitat patches across multiple land tenure types. Much work remains on how managers can intervene in such systems to achieve basic goals. We use an agent-based model of a metapopulation with predator–prey dynamics and density-dependent migration to examine theoretically the capacity of a manager to modify the ecosystem to achieve conservation goals. We explore management strategies aimed at maintaining one of two goals – local or global coexistence of species. To achieve their goal, the manager varies the connectivity between patches based on one of three strategies – the monitoring of predator, prey, or the vegetation carrying capacity of the patches. We find that strategies that lead to highest coexistence monitor mid-tier populations globally. Our goal is to use our model results to advance decision-making in conservation beyond protected areas, typical in today's conservation.