Applied Population Biology & Population Viability Analysis Flashcards
Natural History
A species’ distinctive ecological characteristics:
– Habitat
– Food
– Behavior
– Reproduction
A body of knowledge for a particular species.
Determining Conservation Status of a Species or Population
1Gather information on a species.
- Identify gaps in literature
- Fieldwork
Census
count of individuals in a population
– Represents true N
Survey
estimate population N
– Scats, track plates, camera traps
– Capture-mark-recapture
– Genetic capture-mark-recapture
Demographic studies
follow individuals to determine
reproduction, survival, N, and/or population growth.
– Age and sex
– Capture-mark-recapture
• Changes in N
births, deaths, immigration, emigration
Physiology
quantity of a resource needed for survival,
growth, and reproduction.
Morphology
variation in size, shape, color
Behavior
flexibility to adapt to novel environmental
conditions.
Biotic interactions
Intraspecific competition
Demography
Sex ratio, age structure, age-specific parameters
Genetics
variation as savings to adapt to future
change.
Biotic interactions
interspecific competition,
mutualisms.
Environment
habitat availability, habitat accessibility, variability in environment in time and space.
Distribution
where is the
species found?
Anthropogenic
land
uses, human activities
Population viability analysis
estimate the probability
that a population of a specified size will go extinct in a
specified length of time.
Complex or simple mathematical and statistical models
Population growth models.
Population Viability Analysis (PVA):
– Effects of different threats or management practices on a
population
– Identify vulnerable life history stages.
– Examine effects of releasing new animals into a population
