No Allee effect detected during the natural recolonization by a large carnivore despite low growth rate
Abstract Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) have recently naturally recolonized southern Sweden. The first documented reproduction of lynx in recent times occurred in 2003, and the population increased from 2 to 48 family groups (the unit of measurement in Swedish monitoring) during its first 18 years (2003/...
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3997 https://doaj.org/article/5bfb104f868d4aae9589a55a87d11b0e |
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:5bfb104f868d4aae9589a55a87d11b0e 2023-05-15T18:50:28+02:00 No Allee effect detected during the natural recolonization by a large carnivore despite low growth rate Henrik Andrén Heather Hemmingmoore Malin Aronsson Mikael Åkesson Jens Persson 2022-03-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3997 https://doaj.org/article/5bfb104f868d4aae9589a55a87d11b0e EN eng Wiley https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3997 https://doaj.org/toc/2150-8925 2150-8925 doi:10.1002/ecs2.3997 https://doaj.org/article/5bfb104f868d4aae9589a55a87d11b0e Ecosphere, Vol 13, Iss 3, Pp n/a-n/a (2022) Allee effect barrier colonization growth rate habitat suitability inverse density dependence Ecology QH540-549.5 article 2022 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3997 2022-12-31T08:22:27Z Abstract Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) have recently naturally recolonized southern Sweden. The first documented reproduction of lynx in recent times occurred in 2003, and the population increased from 2 to 48 family groups (the unit of measurement in Swedish monitoring) during its first 18 years (2003/2004–2020/2021). We did not detect any Allee effect, that is, lower growth rate at low population density, during the recolonization of southern Sweden, although our population simulations revealed a non‐negligible (30%) chance that population observed development could include an Allee effect. The probable absence of an Allee effect was likely because colonizing females did not lack mating partners, as a larger number of wide‐ranging males were established in the area before documented reproduction took place. Despite the absence of an Allee effect, the growth rate during recolonization was lower in southern Sweden (λ = 1.20) than in central Sweden (λ = 1.29). We have no evidence of higher mortality, including that from poaching, or lower reproduction in southern Sweden could explain the lower growth rate. Instead, we suggest that the lower growth rate during the recolonization of southern Sweden was explained by fewer immigrants arriving from central Sweden due to areas of less suitable habitat between central and southern Sweden, partially preventing immigration southward. From a conservation point of view, it is positive that this small population could recover without being negatively influenced by an Allee effect, as small populations with an Allee effect experience lower viability than those without. Article in Journal/Newspaper Lynx Lynx lynx lynx Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Ecosphere 13 3 |
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collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
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ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Allee effect barrier colonization growth rate habitat suitability inverse density dependence Ecology QH540-549.5 |
spellingShingle |
Allee effect barrier colonization growth rate habitat suitability inverse density dependence Ecology QH540-549.5 Henrik Andrén Heather Hemmingmoore Malin Aronsson Mikael Åkesson Jens Persson No Allee effect detected during the natural recolonization by a large carnivore despite low growth rate |
topic_facet |
Allee effect barrier colonization growth rate habitat suitability inverse density dependence Ecology QH540-549.5 |
description |
Abstract Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) have recently naturally recolonized southern Sweden. The first documented reproduction of lynx in recent times occurred in 2003, and the population increased from 2 to 48 family groups (the unit of measurement in Swedish monitoring) during its first 18 years (2003/2004–2020/2021). We did not detect any Allee effect, that is, lower growth rate at low population density, during the recolonization of southern Sweden, although our population simulations revealed a non‐negligible (30%) chance that population observed development could include an Allee effect. The probable absence of an Allee effect was likely because colonizing females did not lack mating partners, as a larger number of wide‐ranging males were established in the area before documented reproduction took place. Despite the absence of an Allee effect, the growth rate during recolonization was lower in southern Sweden (λ = 1.20) than in central Sweden (λ = 1.29). We have no evidence of higher mortality, including that from poaching, or lower reproduction in southern Sweden could explain the lower growth rate. Instead, we suggest that the lower growth rate during the recolonization of southern Sweden was explained by fewer immigrants arriving from central Sweden due to areas of less suitable habitat between central and southern Sweden, partially preventing immigration southward. From a conservation point of view, it is positive that this small population could recover without being negatively influenced by an Allee effect, as small populations with an Allee effect experience lower viability than those without. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Henrik Andrén Heather Hemmingmoore Malin Aronsson Mikael Åkesson Jens Persson |
author_facet |
Henrik Andrén Heather Hemmingmoore Malin Aronsson Mikael Åkesson Jens Persson |
author_sort |
Henrik Andrén |
title |
No Allee effect detected during the natural recolonization by a large carnivore despite low growth rate |
title_short |
No Allee effect detected during the natural recolonization by a large carnivore despite low growth rate |
title_full |
No Allee effect detected during the natural recolonization by a large carnivore despite low growth rate |
title_fullStr |
No Allee effect detected during the natural recolonization by a large carnivore despite low growth rate |
title_full_unstemmed |
No Allee effect detected during the natural recolonization by a large carnivore despite low growth rate |
title_sort |
no allee effect detected during the natural recolonization by a large carnivore despite low growth rate |
publisher |
Wiley |
publishDate |
2022 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3997 https://doaj.org/article/5bfb104f868d4aae9589a55a87d11b0e |
genre |
Lynx Lynx lynx lynx |
genre_facet |
Lynx Lynx lynx lynx |
op_source |
Ecosphere, Vol 13, Iss 3, Pp n/a-n/a (2022) |
op_relation |
https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3997 https://doaj.org/toc/2150-8925 2150-8925 doi:10.1002/ecs2.3997 https://doaj.org/article/5bfb104f868d4aae9589a55a87d11b0e |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3997 |
container_title |
Ecosphere |
container_volume |
13 |
container_issue |
3 |
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1766244194092843008 |