Population characteristics predict responses in moose body mass to temporal variation in the environment.

摘要: 1. A general problem in population ecology is to predict under which conditions stochastic variation the environment has stronger effect on ecological processes. By analysing temporal a fitness-related trait, body mass, 21 Norwegian moose Alces alces (L.) populations, we examined whether influence of different environmental variables were related parameters that assumed reflect important characteristics fundamental niche space moose. 2. Body mass during autumn was positively early access fresh vegetation spring, and reflecting slow phenological development (low June temperature, long spring with plant progression spring). In contrast, food quantity winter had only minor mass. 3. The magnitude effects larger populations small mean or living at higher densities than large-sized individuals lower densities. 4. These results indicate strongest stochasticity occurs towards borders space, suggests good are partly buffered against fluctuations conditions.