Moose-wolf dynamics and the natural regulation of moose populations

被引:160
作者
Messier, Francois [1 ]
Crete, Michel [2 ]
机构
[1] Univ British Columbia, Dept Anim Sci, Vancouver, BC V6T 1W5, Canada
[2] Minist Loisir, Direct faune Terrestre, Quebec City, PQ G1R 4Y1, Canada
关键词
D O I
10.1007/BF00379664
中图分类号
Q14 [生态学(生物生态学)];
学科分类号
071012 ; 0713 ;
摘要
In southwestern Quebec, non-harvested moose populations stabilize at a density of similar or equal to 0.40 animal .km(-2). In an attempt to test whether or not moose were regulated by predators, we investigated wolf predation near this equilibrium density (0.37) and at 2 lower densities (similar or equal to 0.23, 0.17). Scat analysis in summer and feeding observations in winter indicated a greater use of alternative food resources by wolves at lower moose densities. Each wolf pack killed on average 5.3, 1.8, 1.1 moose . 100 days in the area of 0.37, 0.23, and 0.17 moose . km(-2), respectively. Consumption of moose per wolf was 2.8, 1.7, and 1.6 kg/day, respectively. January wolf densities were estimated at 1.38, 0.82, and 0.36 animals. 100 km(-2), respectively. Year-long predation rates proved to be density-dependent, increasing with moose density from 6.1 to 19.3% of the postnatal populations. We conclude that moose populations in southwestern Quebec are regulated largely by predators (wolves and maybe black bears) at a density where competition for forage produces no detrimental effect. We support the concept that wolf predation can have an important regulatory effect at low moose densities but also a depensatory (inversely density-dependent) effect at higher densities.
引用
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页码:503 / 512
页数:10
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