The relative importance of reproduction and survival for the conservation of two dolphin populations.

ABSTRACT: It has been proposed that in slow-growing vertebrate populations survival generally has a greater influence on population growth than reproduction. Despite many studies cautioning against such generalizations for conservation, wildlife management for slow-growing populations still often focuses on perturbing survival without careful evaluation as to whether those changes are likely or feasible. Here, we evaluate the relative importance of reproduction and survival for the conservation of two bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops cf aduncus) populations: a large, apparently stable population and a smaller one that is forecast to decline. We also assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of wildlife management objectives aimed at boosting either reproduction or survival. Consistent wit

SUBMITTER: Manlik O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5513288 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature