Detecting Resource Limitation in a Large Herbivore Population Is Enhanced With Measures of Nutritional Condition

摘要: Resource limitation at the population level is a function of forage quality and its abundance relative to per capita availability, which in turn, determines nutritional condition individuals. Effects resource on dynamics ungulates often occurs through predictable sequential changes vital rates, can enable assessments how influences growth. We tested theoretical predictions bottom-up (i.e., limitation) forcing moose (Alces alces) lens rates by quantifying influence intrinsic measures extrinsic remotely sensed environmental data demographic rates. measured pregnancy, parturition, juvenile, adult survival for 82 females where predators largely were absent. Life stage simulation analyses (LSAs) indicated that interannual fluctuations contributed most variability λ. then extended LSA estimate as covariates evaluate their detected weak signatures effects from spatially explicit each seasonal range. Instead, strongly influenced overwinter adults, clearly implicating Our findings depart classic life-history paradigm was highly variable generated growth At surface, lack variation explained may suggest evidence population, when actually underpinned demographics. depend context more than previously appreciated, density dependence obfuscate relationships between