Population demographics, survival, and reporduction: Alaska sea otter research
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Abstract
The fundamental force behind population change is the balance between age-specific survival and reproductive rates. Thus, understanding population demographics is crucial when trying to interpret trends in population change over time. For many species, demographic rates change as the population’s status (i.e., relative to prey resources) varies. Indices of body condition indicative of individual energy reserves can be a useful gauge of population status. Integrated studies designed to measure (1) population trends; (2) current population status; and (3) demographic rates will provide the most complete picture of the factors driving observed population changes. In particular, estimates of age specific survival and reproduction in conjunction with measures of population change can be integrated into population matrix models useful in explaining observed trends. We focus here on the methods used to measure demographic rates in sea otters, and note the importance of comparable methods between studies. Next, we review the current knowledge of the influence of population status on demographic parameters. We end with examples of the power of matrix modeling as a tool to integrate various types of demographic information for detecting otherwise hard to detect changes in demographic parameters.
| Publication type | Conference Paper |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Conference Paper |
| Title | Population demographics, survival, and reporduction: Alaska sea otter research |
| ISBN | 1-56612-088-8 |
| DOI | 10.4027/asorw.2004 |
| Year Published | 2004 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Alaska Sea Grant College Program, University of Alaska Fairbanks |
| Publisher location | Fairbanks, AK |
| Contributing office(s) | Alaska Science Center |
| Description | 11 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Book |
| Larger Work Subtype | Conference publication |
| Larger Work Title | Alaska sea otter research workshop: Addressing the decline of the southwestern Alaska sea otter population |
| First page | 60 |
| Last page | 70 |
| Conference Title | Alaska Sea Otter Research Workshop |
| Conference Location | Seward, AK |
| Conference Date | 5-7 April 2004 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |