Wildlife population dynamics

Abstract

In this chapter we provide an overview of some core concepts, describe exponential growth as the basic foundation for understanding population dynamics, and discuss some of the factors that can affect wildlife population dynamics. We then show how management insights that can be gained from analyzing the dynamics of individual age or stage classes, examine dynamics of multiple populations across a landscape, consider key aspects of monitoring wildlife population dynamics, and close with a case study applying many of the topics in the chapter. Throughout we stress a few key themes: (1) variation is as important as the mean in understanding population dynamics (embrace uncertainty!); (2) some of the most powerful insights into outcomes of wildlife management actions are nonintuitive, revealed by applying data to models; and (3) because different management actions influence population dynamics in different ways, we must understand population processes to identify the most effective actions to meet population objectives.