Limitation and regulation of moose populations: the role of predation
An improved understanding of factors limiting and regulating ungulate populations is vital for sound management, especially with regard to controversial factors like predation. We examine the claim that evidence is weak for predation acting as a major factor limiting or regulating moose (Alces alces...
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Canadian Science Publishing
1994
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z94-277 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z94-277 |
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crcansciencepubl:10.1139/z94-277 2023-12-17T10:18:03+01:00 Limitation and regulation of moose populations: the role of predation Ballenberghe, Victor Van Ballard, Warren B. 1994 http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z94-277 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z94-277 en eng Canadian Science Publishing http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/page/about/CorporateTextAndDataMining Canadian Journal of Zoology volume 72, issue 12, page 2071-2077 ISSN 0008-4301 1480-3283 Animal Science and Zoology Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics journal-article 1994 crcansciencepubl https://doi.org/10.1139/z94-277 2023-11-19T13:39:16Z An improved understanding of factors limiting and regulating ungulate populations is vital for sound management, especially with regard to controversial factors like predation. We examine the claim that evidence is weak for predation acting as a major factor limiting or regulating moose (Alces alces) populations in North America. Biologists have been inconsistent in defining limitation and regulation, have used these terms interchangeably, and have incorrectly assumed that major limiting factors regulate moose density. Empirical evidence indicates that many moose populations preyed on by both bears (Ursus arctos and U. americana) and wolves (Canis lupus) persist at densities much lower than K/2 when human influence is minimal. Under these conditions, reduction of predator numbers often results in increased moose density. Reduction of moose from high densities with predators held constant results in inversely density-dependent (anti-regulatory) predation and low moose densities for prolonged periods. In ecosystems lacking bears, or in those subject to substantial human influence, predation may not be a major limiting factor, may vary greatly in its impact, and may be overshadowed by interactions among moose, forage, weather, and hunting that primarily determine moose density. We conclude that in naturally regulated ecosystems, predation on moose by bears and wolves is often limiting and may be regulating, and we identify the conditions necessary for this to occur. Article in Journal/Newspaper Alces alces Canis lupus Ursus arctos Canadian Science Publishing (via Crossref) Canadian Journal of Zoology 72 12 2071 2077 |
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Open Polar |
collection |
Canadian Science Publishing (via Crossref) |
op_collection_id |
crcansciencepubl |
language |
English |
topic |
Animal Science and Zoology Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics |
spellingShingle |
Animal Science and Zoology Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics Ballenberghe, Victor Van Ballard, Warren B. Limitation and regulation of moose populations: the role of predation |
topic_facet |
Animal Science and Zoology Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics |
description |
An improved understanding of factors limiting and regulating ungulate populations is vital for sound management, especially with regard to controversial factors like predation. We examine the claim that evidence is weak for predation acting as a major factor limiting or regulating moose (Alces alces) populations in North America. Biologists have been inconsistent in defining limitation and regulation, have used these terms interchangeably, and have incorrectly assumed that major limiting factors regulate moose density. Empirical evidence indicates that many moose populations preyed on by both bears (Ursus arctos and U. americana) and wolves (Canis lupus) persist at densities much lower than K/2 when human influence is minimal. Under these conditions, reduction of predator numbers often results in increased moose density. Reduction of moose from high densities with predators held constant results in inversely density-dependent (anti-regulatory) predation and low moose densities for prolonged periods. In ecosystems lacking bears, or in those subject to substantial human influence, predation may not be a major limiting factor, may vary greatly in its impact, and may be overshadowed by interactions among moose, forage, weather, and hunting that primarily determine moose density. We conclude that in naturally regulated ecosystems, predation on moose by bears and wolves is often limiting and may be regulating, and we identify the conditions necessary for this to occur. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Ballenberghe, Victor Van Ballard, Warren B. |
author_facet |
Ballenberghe, Victor Van Ballard, Warren B. |
author_sort |
Ballenberghe, Victor Van |
title |
Limitation and regulation of moose populations: the role of predation |
title_short |
Limitation and regulation of moose populations: the role of predation |
title_full |
Limitation and regulation of moose populations: the role of predation |
title_fullStr |
Limitation and regulation of moose populations: the role of predation |
title_full_unstemmed |
Limitation and regulation of moose populations: the role of predation |
title_sort |
limitation and regulation of moose populations: the role of predation |
publisher |
Canadian Science Publishing |
publishDate |
1994 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z94-277 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z94-277 |
genre |
Alces alces Canis lupus Ursus arctos |
genre_facet |
Alces alces Canis lupus Ursus arctos |
op_source |
Canadian Journal of Zoology volume 72, issue 12, page 2071-2077 ISSN 0008-4301 1480-3283 |
op_rights |
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/page/about/CorporateTextAndDataMining |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1139/z94-277 |
container_title |
Canadian Journal of Zoology |
container_volume |
72 |
container_issue |
12 |
container_start_page |
2071 |
op_container_end_page |
2077 |
_version_ |
1785539508130807808 |