Contributions of vital rates to growth of a protected population of American black bears

摘要: Abstract Analyses of large, long-lived animals suggest that adult survival generally has the potential to contribute more than reproduction population growth rate (λ), but because varies little, high variability in can have a greater influence. This pattern been documented for several species large mammals, few studies evaluated such contributions vital rates λ American black bears (Ursus americanus). We used variance-based perturbation analyses (life table response experiments, LTRE) and analytical sensitivity elasticity examine actual variation (λ) inhabiting Pisgah Bear Sanctuary southern Appalachian Mountains North Carolina, using 22-year dataset. found recruitment varied other rates; LTRE conducted over time intervals thus indicated contributed ...