Estimation of carrying capacity and growth rate of wolf in Lithuania
The purpose of this paper is to estimate ecological carrying capacity (K) and growth rate (r) of Lithuanian wolf based on the estimated population sizes and number of harvests from 1966 to 2007. We used the modified Schaefer model where population dynamics is described by the logistic-equation-type...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | Lithuanian English |
| Published: |
2009
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://lmavb.lvb.lt/LMAVB:ELABAPDB5843297&prefLang=en_US |
| Summary: | The purpose of this paper is to estimate ecological carrying capacity (K) and growth rate (r) of Lithuanian wolf based on the estimated population sizes and number of harvests from 1966 to 2007. We used the modified Schaefer model where population dynamics is described by the logistic-equation-type growth function with time lag operator (τ) and harvest. We statistically selected the best model whose τ value was 4 and estimated value of K and r were 626 heads for the total Lithuanian territory and 0.776/ year, respectively. Then we examined the appropriateness of the values from the ecological point of view and concluded that ecological carrying capacity is supported by the prey base of wild animals, mainly cervids, and also by depredation on domestic animals. In 1994-1998, the population was near ecological carrying capacity or exceeding it, what we explain by high ecological plasticity of the species and increased use of domestic animals. |
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