id:"swepub:oai:slubar.slu.se:119447"
Search: id:"swepub:oai:slubar.slu.se:119447" > Predation strongly ...
- 1 of 1
- Previous record
- Next record
- To hitlist
Predation strongly limits demography of a keystone migratory herbivore in a recovering transfrontier ecosystem
-
- Creel, Scott (author)
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet,Institutionen för vilt, fisk och miljö,Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies,Zambian Carnivore Programme,Montana State University Bozeman
- (creator_code:org_t)
- 2022-10-17
- 2022
- English.
- In: Ecology and Evolution. - : Wiley. - 2045-7758. ; 12
- Journal article (peer-reviewed)
Abstract
Subject headings
Close
- Large herbivore migrations are imperiled globally; however the factors limiting a population across its migratory range are typically poorly understood. Zambia's Greater Liuwa Ecosystem (GLE) contains one of the largest remaining blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus taurinus) migrations, yet the population structure, vital rates, and limiting factors are virtually unknown. We conducted a long-term demographic study of GLE wildebeest from 2012 to 2019 of 107 collared adult females and their calves, 7352 herd observations, 12 aerial population surveys, and concurrent carnivore studies. We applied methods of vital rate estimation and survival analysis within a Bayesian estimation framework. From herd composition observations, we estimated rates of fecundity, first-year survival, and recruitment as 68%, 56%, and 38% respectively, with pronounced interannual variation. Similar rates were estimated from calf-detections with collared cows. Adult survival rates declined steadily from 91% at age 2 years to 61% at age 10 years thereafter dropping more sharply to 2% at age 16 years. Predation, particularly by spotted hyena, was the predominant cause of death for all wildebeest ages and focused on older animals. Starvation only accounted for 0.8% of all unbiased known natural causes of death. Mortality risk differed substantially between wet and dry season ranges, reflecting strong spatio-temporal differences in habitat and predator densities. There was substantial evidence that mortality risk to adults was 27% higher in the wet season, and strong evidence that it was 45% higher in the migratory range where predator density was highest. The estimated vital rates were internally consistent, predicting a stable population trajectory consistent with aerial estimates. From essentially zero knowledge of GLE wildebeest dynamics, this work provides vital rates, age structure, limiting factors, and a plausible mechanism for the migratory tendency, and a robust model-based foundation to evaluate the effects of potential restrictions in migratory range, climate change, predator-prey dynamics, and poaching.
Subject headings
- NATURVETENSKAP -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)
- NATURAL SCIENCES -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)
- NATURVETENSKAP -- Biologi -- Evolutionsbiologi (hsv//swe)
- NATURAL SCIENCES -- Biological Sciences -- Evolutionary Biology (hsv//eng)
Publication and Content Type
- ref (subject category)
- art (subject category)
Find in a library
- Ecology and Evolution (Search for host publication in LIBRIS)
To the university's database
- 1 of 1
- Previous record
- Next record
- To hitlist
Find more in SwePub
- By the author/editor
- Creel, Scott
- About the subject
-
- NATURAL SCIENCES
- NATURAL SCIENCES
- and Biological Scien ...
- and Ecology
-
- NATURAL SCIENCES
- NATURAL SCIENCES
- and Biological Scien ...
- and Evolutionary Bio ...
- Articles in the publication
- Ecology and Evol ...
- By the university
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Search outside SwePub
- Extend your search to:
- Google Book Search
- Google Scholar
Kungliga biblioteket hanterar dina personuppgifter i enlighet med EU:s dataskyddsförordning (2018), GDPR. Läs mer om hur det funkar här.
Så här hanterar KB dina uppgifter vid användning av denna tjänst.
- Copyright © LIBRIS - National Library Systems
- LIBRIS.kb.se
