Environmental stochasticity and population dynamics of large herbivores: a search for mechanisms

摘要: Recently, the results from several long-term individual-based population studies of ungulates have been published. One major conclusion is that dynamics in predator-free environments strongly influenced by a combination stochastic variation environment, and density. Both density dependence environmental stochasticity operate through changes life history traits, correlated with body weight. This generates delays response to environment. In absence predation, stable equilibrium therefore unlikely exist between an ungulate its food resources. thorough understanding mechanisms generating fluctuations suggests will provide important source for examining effects instance, resulting climatic change.