Dynamics of Large Herbivore Populations in Changing Environments Towards Appropriate Models

by Owen-Smith, Norman

• ISBN13: 9781405198943
• ISBN10: 140519894X
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781444318609
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-03-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• More Book Details

Summary

This book aims to reconcile theoretical models of population dynamics with what is currently known about the population dynamics of large mammalian herbivores. It arose from a working group established at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at the University of California, Santa Barbara, to address the need for models that better accommodate environmental variability, especially for herbivores dependent on changing vegetation resources. The initial chapter reviews findings from definitive long-term studies of certain other ungulate populations, many based on individually identifiable animals. Other chapters cover climatic influences, emphasising temperate versus tropical contrasts, and demographic processes underlying population dynamics, more generally. There are new assessments of irruptive population dynamics, and of the consequences of landscape heterogeneity for herbivore populations. An initial review of candidate population models is followed up by a final chapter outlining how these models might be modified to better accommodate environmental variability. The contents provide a foundation for resolving problems of diminishing large mammal populations in Africa, over-abundant ungulate populations elsewhere, and general consequences of global change for biodiversity conservation. This book will serve as a definitive outline of what is currently known about the population dynamics of large herbivores.

Author Biography

Norman Owen-Smith has a special interest in the behavioural and population ecology of large mammalian herbivores. After obtaining his PhD for a study of white rhinos through the University of Wisconsin, he held appointments at the universities of Pretoria and Zimbabwe before settling into a position at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he headed the Centre for African Ecology.

Table of Contents

Contributors

Preface

Definitive case studies

Red deer on Rum

Soay sheep on Hirta

Roe deer in France

Bighorn sheep in Alberta

Kudu in Kruger

Wildebeest in Serengeti

Moose on Isle Royale

Elk in North Yellowstone

Overview

Acknowledgments

References

The suite of population models

Models of density dependence

Autoregressive time-series models

Age- or stage-structured models

Trophic interaction models

Physiological or metaphysiological models

Models accommodating spatial structure

Individual-based models

Overview

Acknowledgments

References

Climatic influences: temperate tropical contrasts

Temperate environments

Tropical and subtropical environments

Effects of predation and hunting

Overall assessment

Acknowledgments

References

Demographic processes: lessons from long-term, individual-based studies

Life history of large herbivores: a brief review

Differential contributions of demographic parameters to population growth

Climatic variation, density-dependence,andindividual variability

Conclusions:howcanfutureanalysesof largeherbivoredemography deal with complex demographic processes?

Acknowledgments

References

Irruptive dynamics and vegetation interactions

Models of herbivore vegetation interactions

Examples of irruptive dynamics

Effects of irruptions on vegetation

Changing perspectives

Synthesis

Implications for conservation and management

Acknowledgments

References

How does landscape heterogeneity shape dynamics of large herbivore populations?

What is spatial heterogeneity?

How does spatial heterogeneity influence ungulate population dynamics?

Mechanisms explaining the influence of spatial heterogeneity on population dynamics

Influences from high-quality resources

Influences from buffer resources

Global change and access to heterogeneity by large herbivores

Conclusions: the importance of spatial context for population dynamics

Acknowledgments

References

Towards an ecology of population dynamics

Phenomenological descriptors

Time series elaborations

Environmental structure

Population structure

Adaptive responses and environmental contexts

Summary and conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

Index

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