Population dynamics of Norwegian red deer: density-dependence and climatic variation

被引:220
作者
Forchhammer, MC
Stenseth, NC
Post, E
Langvatn, R
机构
[1] Univ Oslo, Dept Biol, Div Zool, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
[2] UNIS, N-9170 Longyearbyen, Norway
关键词
climate; density-dependence; density-independence; North Atlantic Oscillation; population dynamics; red deer;
D O I
10.1098/rspb.1998.0301
中图分类号
Q [生物科学];
学科分类号
07 ; 0710 ; 09 ;
摘要
We present a model on plant-deer-climate interactions developed for improving our understanding of the temporal dynamics of deer abundance and, in particular, how intrinsic (density-dependent) and extrinsic (plants, climate) factors influence these dynamics. The model was tested statistically by analysing the dynamics of five Norwegian red deer populations between 1964 and 1993. Direct and delayed density-dependence significantly influenced the development of the populations: delayed density-dependence primarily operated through female density, whereas direct density-dependence acted through both female and male densities. Furthermore, population dynamics of Norwegian red deer were significantly affected by climate (as measured by the global weather phenomenon, the North Atlantic Oscillation: NAG). Warm, snowy winters (high NAG) were associated with decreased deer abundance, whereas the delayed (two-year) effect of warm, snowy winters had a positive effect on deer abundance. Our analyses are argued to have profound implications for the general understanding of climate change and terrestrial ecosystem functioning.
引用
收藏
页码:341 / 350
页数:10
相关论文
共 54 条