Population biology and conservation of Hector's dolphin

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 1701-1707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Slooten ◽  
Frank Lad

During the past decade, Hector's dolphins, Cephalorhynchus hectori, have suffered an alarming level of mortality due to entanglement in commercial and amateur gill nets. In this paper we study two Leslie matrix population models that incorporate known features of dolphin fertility and mortality, focussing on the information they provide regarding age distributions and maximum population growth rates. The simplest model specifies constant survival rates over many age-classes. The second model uses more realistic curves of age-specific survival rates. The results indicate that Hector's dolphin, like most other small cetaceans, has a low potential for population growth. Growth rates of 1.8–4.9% per year are likely to be the maximum possible for Hector's dolphin populations, and C. hectori (and C. commersonii) populations are likely to be declining under recent levels of net entanglement. Survival rate estimates from free-living populations, subject to natural and net-entanglement mortality, showed decreasing populations. Even with the most optimistic reproductive parameters, survival rates would need to be some 5–10% higher than those observed in populations subject to gill-net entanglement before population growth could occur. The likely consequences of a reduction in entanglement mortality through conservation management are explored using the survivorship curve model. These simulations show that the age structure of the population can have an important effect on changes in the size and growth rate of the population during the recovery phase following a reduction in entanglement mortality.

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
TAMARA M. WONG ◽  
TAMARA TICKTIN

SUMMARYDemographic comparisons between wild and restored populations of at-risk plant species can reveal key management strategies for effective conservation, but few such studies exist. This paper evaluates the potential restoration success ofAlyxia stellata, a Hawaiian vine. Stage-structured matrix projection models that compared long-term and transient dynamics of wild versus restoredA. stellatapopulations, and restored populations under different levels of canopy cover, were built from demographic data collected over a four year period. Stochastic models of wild populations projected stable or slightly declining long-term growth rates depending on frequency of dry years. Projected long-term population growth rates of restored populations were significantly higher in closed than open canopy conditions, but indicated population decline under both conditions. Life table response experiments illustrated that lower survival rates, especially of small adults and juveniles, contributed to diminished population growth rates in restored populations. Transient analyses for restored populations projected short-term decline occurring even faster than predicted by asymptotic dynamics. Restored populations will not be viable over the long term under conditions commonly found in restoration projects and interventions will likely be necessary. This study illustrates how the combination of long-term population modelling and transient analyses can be effective in providing relevant information for plant demographers and restoration practitioners to promote self-sustaining native populations, including under future climates.


2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Chambers ◽  
Roberta Bencini

Context Although road mortality has the potential to affect the fate of populations, it is often confounded with other forms of environmental change. Therefore determining its impact separately from other factors is difficult because it requires an understanding of how road mortalities affect age- and sex-specific survival rates. Aims We determined the impact of high numbers of road-kills and habitat modification on the growth and survival of the population of tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) on Garden Island, off the coast of Western Australia. The increased supply of food from large areas of fertilised and irrigated lawns on a naval base was expected to increase the population growth rate (λ) and the road-kills were expected to offset the population response. Methods We conducted a mark-and-recapture study over three years to estimate rates of survival, reproduction and population growth rates in areas of the island that were either heavily affected by the presence of a naval base that included a network of roads and buildings, close enough to the naval base that animals could be affected by the disturbance there, and completely unaffected and lacking major roads or buildings. All road-kills were collected to estimate the impact of road mortality on the survival and growth rates of the population. Key results The growth rate, λ, for the population on the naval base was 1.02 ± 0.083 (s.e.) per year, which was much higher than in an area of adjacent bushland at 0.92 ± 0.065 per year and in undisturbed bushland at 0.93 ± 0.100 per year. When the impact of road mortality was removed, λ increased to 1.15 ± 0.101 per year on the naval base and 0.96 ± 0.076 per year in the bushland adjacent to the naval base. On the naval base road mortality reduced survival rates of one-year-old and adult animals by 0.14 ± 0.087 and 0.12 ± 0.012 per year (mean ± s.e.). Conclusions Road mortality counteracted the increase in the size of the tammar population caused by the habitat modification on the naval base. The impact of road mortality on the adjacent bushland population may result in its long-term decline, as the population may not be able to recover from the reduction in survival rates. Implications Road mortality has the potential to threaten susceptible populations but its impact should be quantified so that mitigation measures can be implemented where they will achieve the greatest benefits.


The Auk ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 124 (4) ◽  
pp. 1359-1372
Author(s):  
Andrei L. Podolsky ◽  
Theodore R. Simons ◽  
Jaime A. Collazo

Abstract Studies of source-sink dynamics are often prompted by concerns about negative population trends. Estimates of population trajectories are usually based on assumptions about survival rates and empirical measures of fecundity. Most models ignore the influence of the rates of renesting and multiple brooding. We used the Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) as a model Neotropical migratory songbird species to investigate the relative effects of annual female survival and components of annual fecundity on population growth rates. We applied productivity data from a three- year field study and data from Hann (1937) to several models of annual fecundity to examine the sensitivity of lambda to variations in annual female survival and the likelihood of renesting and double-brooding. Our simulations illustrate the importance of incorporating estimates of annual survival and rates of additional breeding attempts in songbird population models because population growth rates are quite sensitive to variations in these parameters. Lambda is especially sensitive to survival estimates and changes with them at the same order of magnitude. Whenever feasible, female survival and probabilities of additional breeding attempts should be estimated by direct methods. The indirect methods used in our study (annual female survival estimated from the age ratio of breeding females, and rates of renesting and double- brooding determined from the timing of reproduction) probably underestimated these parameters. Modelado del Crecimiento Poblacional de Seiurus aurocapilla en el Sur de los Apalaches


<em>Abstract.</em> —Seabirds become mature at a late age, experience low annual fecundity, often refrain from breeding, and enjoy annual adult survival rates as high as 98%. This suite of life history characteristics limits the capacity for seabird populations to recover quickly from major perturbations, and presents important conservation challenges. Concern over anthropogenic impacts on seabird populations has led to the initiation of long-term field programs to monitor seabird reproductive performance and population dynamics. In addition, seabirds have been recognized as potentially useful and economical indicators of the state of the marine environment and, in particular, the status of commercially important prey stocks. This paper reviews demographic and life history attributes of seabird populations and uses this information to explore the consequences of longevity from the respective standpoints of conservation and monitoring goals. Analysis of a simplified life cycle model reveals that maximum potential population growth rates (λ) under ideal circumstances fall within the range of 1.03–1.12 for most species, though growth rates realized in nature will always be lower. Elasticity analysis confirms that seabird population growth rates are extremely sensitive to small variations in adult survival rates, and dictates that survival monitoring should be considered an essential component of conservation strategies. As in other organisms with long life spans, ecological and physiological costs of reproduction are expected to figure prominently in seabird reproductive decisions. Consequently, understanding how seabirds allocate reproductive effort in response to varying environmental conditions is an important prerequisite for correctly interpreting field data from monitoring studies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 257 ◽  
pp. 109104
Author(s):  
Paul E. Kanive ◽  
Jay J. Rotella ◽  
Taylor K. Chapple ◽  
Scot D. Anderson ◽  
Timothy D. White ◽  
...  

Nativa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 469
Author(s):  
Yasmin Bruna de Siqueira Bezerra ◽  
José Vargas de Oliveira ◽  
Taciana Keila dos Anjos Ramalho ◽  
Douglas Rafael e Silva Barbosa ◽  
Carlos Romero Ferreira de Oliveira ◽  
...  

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos repelentes e as taxas de crescimento populacional de óleos essenciais de Corymbia citriodora, Ocimum basilicum e Myracroduon urundeuva sobre o ácaro vermelho Tetranychus ludeni (Zacher) em algodoeiro de fibra colorida. Para o teste de repelência, óleos de Corymbia citriodora, Ocimum basilicum e Myracroduon urundeuva foram testados em diferentes concentrações sobre fêmeas adultas de T. ludeni, assim como para o teste de crescimento populacional, onde as cultivares foram tratadas com óleos essenciais.  O efeito repelente foi verificado para todos os óleos testados nas duas cultivares de algodão colorida. As taxas instantâneas de crescimento populacional para T. ludeni nas cultivares de algodoeiro BRS Verde e BRS Rubi foram todas positivas (ri> 0), indicando que a população está em estado ascendente, no entanto, a população cresceu a uma taxa menor quando comparada ao controle. Os óleos essenciais de C. citriodora, O. basilicum e M. urundeuva apresentam efeito acaricida e potencial controle alternativo de T. ludeni em algodoeiro de fibras coloridas sem causar danos ao algodoeiro.Palavras-chave: ácaro vermelho; algodão colorido; controle alternativo; taxa instantânea de crescimento; repelência. ACARICIDAL ACTIVITY OF ESSENTIAL OILS ON RED MITETetranychus ludeni (Zacher) (Acari: Tetranychidae) IN TWO COTTON CULTIVARS ABSTRACT: The objective of this work was to evaluate the repellent and population growth rates of essential oils of Corymbia citriodora, Ocimum basilicum and Myracroduon urundeuva on the red mite Tetranychus ludeni (Zacher) in cotton fiber. For the repellency test, oils of Corymbia citriodora, Ocimum basilicum and Myracroduon urundeuva were tested in different concentrations on adult females of T. ludeni, as well as for the population growth test, where the cultivars were treated with essential oils. The repellent effect was verified for all tested oils the two cultivars of colored cotton. The instant population growth rates for T. ludeni in the cultivars BRS Verde and BRS Rubi were all positive (ri> 0), indicating that the population is in an upward, however, the population grew at a lower rate when compared to the control. The essential oils of C. citriodora, O. basilicum and M. urundeuva have an acaricidal effect and potential alternative control of T. ludeni in cotton from colored fibers without causing damage to the cotton.Keywords: Red mite; colored cotton; essential oils; instant growth rate; repellency.


1973 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry A. Haines

The value of RNA–DNA ratio as a measure of long-term growth of fish populations under semi-natural conditions and when subjected to environmental manipulations was determined. Populations of carp and smallmouth bass of known age distribution were established in artificial ponds maintained at two fertility levels. After 15 months, population growth rates (as percent increase in weight) and RNA–DNA ratios of muscle tissue from selected fish were measured. Each species exhibited a range of population growth rates. The relation between population growth rate and individual fish RNA–DNA ratio for each species was significant. When reproduction occurred, the relation was not significant unless young-of-the-year fish were excluded from population growth rate calculations. Age of fish was also found to have an important effect on RNA–DNA ratio, with the ratio being higher in younger fish.RNA–DNA ratio can be a reliable indicator of long-term population growth in fish when population age structure is known and recruitment is controlled. The method has potential for use in detecting response to environmental changes before growth rate changes become severe.


2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (8) ◽  
pp. 1198-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas C. Braun ◽  
John D. Reynolds

Understanding linkages among life history traits, the environment, and population dynamics is a central goal in ecology. We compared 15 populations of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) to test general hypotheses for the relative importance of life history traits and environmental conditions in explaining variation in population dynamics. We used life history traits and habitat variables as covariates in mixed-effect Ricker models to evaluate the support for correlates of maximum population growth rates, density dependence, and variability in dynamics among populations. We found dramatic differences in the dynamics of populations that spawn in a small geographical area. These differences among populations were related to variation in habitats but not life history traits. Populations that spawned in deep water had higher and less variable population growth rates, and populations inhabiting streams with larger gravels experienced stronger negative density dependence. These results demonstrate, in these populations, the relative importance of environmental conditions and life histories in explaining population dynamics, which is rarely possible for multiple populations of the same species. Furthermore, they suggest that local habitat variables are important for the assessment of population status, especially when multiple populations with different dynamics are managed as aggregates.


2018 ◽  
pp. 1197-1214
Author(s):  
Innocent Chirisa ◽  
Aaron Maphosa ◽  
Lazarus Zanamwe ◽  
Elmond Bandauko ◽  
Liaison Mukarwi

The central focus of this chapter is to analyse the urban population growth–urban management nexus in Zimbabwean cities. These cities are registering rapid population growth rates, due mainly to massive rural to urban migration and natural increase. Ideally, rapid urban population growth rates should be proportionate to urban infrastructure, facilities and services. This is not in the case in Zimbabwean cities, where the development of informal settlements, rising urban poverty, dilapidated urban infrastructure and other urban developmental challenges are rampant. Drawing from Malthusian theory, the current conditions in Zimbabwean cities represents that stage where the positive and negative checks are expected. In putting together this chapter, we used archival sources such as newspapers, government reports and other secondary sources. We conclude that planning initiatives and population control measures need to be used in Zimbabwean cities to address inefficiency and urban management challenges, which may be compromising urban sustainability. This study provides evidence-based information that urban local authorities may use to formulate policies to manage urban problems.


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