Density Dependence in Large Herbivores Inhabiting an Insular Nature Reserve
ABSTRACT While studies often focus on density‐dependent responses of ungulate populations to resource limitations at large spatial scales, the dynamics at smaller scales remain relatively unexplored. To address this gap, we investigated the temporal dynamics of ungulate abundance in a small dystroph...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70689 |
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| author | Cornelius J. Louw Francesca Parrini Jason P. Marshal |
| author_facet | Cornelius J. Louw Francesca Parrini Jason P. Marshal |
| author_sort | Cornelius J. Louw |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT While studies often focus on density‐dependent responses of ungulate populations to resource limitations at large spatial scales, the dynamics at smaller scales remain relatively unexplored. To address this gap, we investigated the temporal dynamics of ungulate abundance in a small dystrophic grassland ecosystem over 20 years, with minimal management interventions. We used annual counts and herd composition data to explore density‐dependent responses at the population level and attempt to link such responses to demographic mechanisms. Counts were corrected using a state‐space modeling approach. Populations of most species increased from low densities to approximate equilibrium densities. Our findings reveal evidence of density‐dependent responses in population growth that shaped the population abundance dynamics. Additionally, juvenile‐to‐adult ratios exhibited patterns of density‐dependent reductions in recruitment. This study suggests grassland ecosystems with moderate annual rainfall are regulated primarily by bottom‐up processes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c5716f6d0b2944b5924e8a35f4e61867 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj-art-c5716f6d0b2944b5924e8a35f4e618672025-08-20T02:53:37ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582024-12-011412n/an/a10.1002/ece3.70689Density Dependence in Large Herbivores Inhabiting an Insular Nature ReserveCornelius J. Louw0Francesca Parrini1Jason P. Marshal2Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology University of Pretoria Hatfield South AfricaSchool of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South AfricaSchool of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South AfricaABSTRACT While studies often focus on density‐dependent responses of ungulate populations to resource limitations at large spatial scales, the dynamics at smaller scales remain relatively unexplored. To address this gap, we investigated the temporal dynamics of ungulate abundance in a small dystrophic grassland ecosystem over 20 years, with minimal management interventions. We used annual counts and herd composition data to explore density‐dependent responses at the population level and attempt to link such responses to demographic mechanisms. Counts were corrected using a state‐space modeling approach. Populations of most species increased from low densities to approximate equilibrium densities. Our findings reveal evidence of density‐dependent responses in population growth that shaped the population abundance dynamics. Additionally, juvenile‐to‐adult ratios exhibited patterns of density‐dependent reductions in recruitment. This study suggests grassland ecosystems with moderate annual rainfall are regulated primarily by bottom‐up processes.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70689density dependenceinsular reservelarge herbivores |
| spellingShingle | Cornelius J. Louw Francesca Parrini Jason P. Marshal Density Dependence in Large Herbivores Inhabiting an Insular Nature Reserve Ecology and Evolution density dependence insular reserve large herbivores |
| title | Density Dependence in Large Herbivores Inhabiting an Insular Nature Reserve |
| title_full | Density Dependence in Large Herbivores Inhabiting an Insular Nature Reserve |
| title_fullStr | Density Dependence in Large Herbivores Inhabiting an Insular Nature Reserve |
| title_full_unstemmed | Density Dependence in Large Herbivores Inhabiting an Insular Nature Reserve |
| title_short | Density Dependence in Large Herbivores Inhabiting an Insular Nature Reserve |
| title_sort | density dependence in large herbivores inhabiting an insular nature reserve |
| topic | density dependence insular reserve large herbivores |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70689 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT corneliusjlouw densitydependenceinlargeherbivoresinhabitinganinsularnaturereserve AT francescaparrini densitydependenceinlargeherbivoresinhabitinganinsularnaturereserve AT jasonpmarshal densitydependenceinlargeherbivoresinhabitinganinsularnaturereserve |