A comment on “temporal variation in survival and recovery rates of lesser scaup”

Journal of Wildlife Management
By: , and 

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Abstract

Concerns about declines in the abundance of lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) have promoted a number of analyses to understand reasons for this decline. Unfortunately, most of these analyses, including that of Arnold et al. (2016 Journal of Wildlife Management 80: 850–861), are based on observational studies leading to weak inference. Although we commend the efforts of Arnold et al. (2016 Journal of Wildlife Management 80: 850–861), we think their conclusions are over-stated given their retrospective analysis. Further, we note a number of inconsistencies in their reasoning and offer alternative conclusions that can be drawn from their analysis. Given the uncertainty still surrounding management of lesser scaup, we do not believe it is prudent to abandon or greatly modify adaptive management approaches designed specifically to make optimal decisions in the face of uncertainty. The current learning-based and recursive approach to management appears to be providing adequate guidance for harvest without punctuated changes to harvest levels, as Arnold et al. (2016 Journal of Wildlife Management 80: 850–861) recommend.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title A comment on “temporal variation in survival and recovery rates of lesser scaup”
Series title Journal of Wildlife Management
DOI 10.1002/jwmg.21250
Volume 81
Issue 7
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Alaska Science Center Biology WTEB
Description 4 p.
First page 1138
Last page 1141
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