The relative importance of reproduction and survival for the conservation of two dolphin populations

摘要: It has been proposed that in slow-growing vertebrate populations survival generally a greater influence on population growth than reproduction. Despite many studies cautioning against such generalizations for conservation, wildlife management still often focuses perturbing without careful evaluation as to whether those changes are likely or feasible. Here, we evaluate the relative importance of reproduction and conservation two bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops cf aduncus) populations: large, apparently stable smaller one is forecast decline. We also assessed feasibility effectiveness objectives aimed at boosting either survival. Consistent with other analytically based elasticity studies, had greatest effect trajectories when altering vital rates by equal proportions. However, findings our alternative analytical approaches stark contrast commonly used proportional sensitivity analyses suggest considerably more important. We show that 1. in reproductive output higher, adult lower; 2. the difference viability between due reproduction; 3. reproductive variable, whereas relatively constant over time; 4. perturbations basis observed, temporal variation indicate dynamics much influenced survival; 5. for declining population, raising would be an effective feasible tool reverse decline; increasing ineffective. Our highlight – even need assess natural viability. echo others life-history traits recommend modeling should take into account magnitude rate could attained under scenarios.