An improved understanding of ungulate population dynamics using count data: Insights from western Montana.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the dynamics of ungulate populations is critical given their ecological and economic importance. In particular, the ability to evaluate the evidence for potential drivers of variation in population trajectories is important for informed management. However, the use of age ratio data (e.g., juveniles:adult females) as an index of variation in population dynamics is hindered by a lack of statistical power and difficult interpretation. Here, we show that the use of a population model based on count, classification and harvest data can dramatically improve the understanding of ungulate population dynamics by: 1) providing estimates of vital rates (e.g., per capita recruitment and population growth) that are easier to interpret and more useful to managers than age ratios and 2) in

SUBMITTER: Paterson JT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6927647 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature