WLF 448: Fish & Wildlife Population Ecology

Fall 2010

  THIS PAGE IS ALWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION! CHECK IT REGULARLY AND PRINT EACH LAB IN ADVANCE OF YOUR SECTIONS MEETING!

 

Presentation Schedule

Lab Datea Topicb Suggested Readingsc
1 Aug 24 Introduction

  About the lab

  Literature Searches

Problem set/Assignment

 
2 Aug 31 Delineating Populations - Part 1

Definitions and basic concepts

Delineating population distributions

Geographic Information Systems

In-class exercise

Problem set

Help/Hints for problem set

Braun 2005 - Chapter 15 (Spatial Technologies)

 

3 Sep 7 Delineating Populations - Part 2

Delineating population distributions

Models

Gap Analysis Project

In-class exercise

Problem set

Help/Hints for problem set

Scott et al. 1993
4 Sept 14 Course Project: Scientific Writing

Description

Guidelines and suggestions

Problem set/Assignment

Chamberlain and Johnson 2008 (JWM Manuscript Guidelines)

AFS 2006 (NAJFM Manuscript Guidelines)

Common Errors in English Usage

5 Sep 21 Modeling Exponential Population Growth

In-class exercise

Problem set

Humbert et al. (2009)
6 Sep 28 Modeling Density Dependent Population Growth

In-class exercise

Problem set

Mills (Chapter 6)
7 Oct 5 Analysis of Time-series Abundance Data

In-class exercise

Problem set

Dennis and Otten (2000)

Eckmann et al. (1988)

Staples et al. (2005)

8 Oct 12 Course Project: Detailed Outline

Guidelines and suggestions

Problem set/Assignment

 
9 Oct 19 Estimating Abundance: Line/Point Transects

Basic concepts

Software for analyzing line-transect data

Assumptions

Field procedures

Program DISTANCE

References

In-class exercise

Problem set

Krebs 2001: 170-190
10 Oct 26

Estimating Abundance: Mark-Recapture

In-class exercise

Problem set

 
11 Nov 2 Project Proposal Due

Metapopulations

Definitions

RAMAS

In-class exercise

Problem set

Braun 2005 - Chapter 5 (Estimating Numbers of Animals)

Krebs 2001: 122-125

  Nov 6 EXAM II
12 Nov 9 Life Tables

In-class exercise

Problem set

Braun 2005 - Chapter 6 (Population Analysis)

Krebs 2001: 157-160

13 Nov 16 Estimating Survival: Band Recovery Analysis

      - Hunter-kill Band Recovery Definitions

      - Band Recovery Data Analysis (overview)

In-class exercise

Problem set

Help/Hints for problem set

Krebs 2001: 133-154

Braun 2005 - Chapter 14 (Radiotelemetry)

. Nov 23 - 27 FALL RECESS - NO CLASSES
14 Nov 30 Population Interactions: Competition

Definitions and concepts

Lotka-Volterra competition models

  • Intraspecific competition
  • Interspecific competition
  • Zero-growth isoclines
  • Phase-plane diagrams and predicted outcomes of competition

In-class exercise

Problem set 

Krebs 2001:206-232
  Dec 4 EXAM III
. Dec 6 PROJECT REPORT DUE
15 Dec 7 Population Interactions: Predation

Definitions and concepts

Lotka-Volterra model

Tanner's model A

In-class exercise/Problem set

  • This problem set will be completed in class, so attendance is mandatory if you want to receive credit for the problem set this week

Course Evaluation

  • Please log onto the course evaluation website and complete your evaluation prior to 12 December.
Krebs 2001: 280-296

a Lab dates are for the Tuesdays of each week.  Add 2 days for Thursday lab sections.

b To view or print lab notes (handouts), in-class exercise, or problem sets, click on the highlighted topic.

c Readings are optional but highly recommended.


References For Suggested Readings:

American Fisheries Society.  2006.  North American Journal of Fisheries Management: guide for authors.  North American Journal of Fisheries Management 135:246-252.

Braun, Clait, editor.  2005.  Techniques for Wildlife Investigations and Management.  Sixth edition.  The Wildlife Society, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.  (required text)

Chamberlain, M. J., and C. Johnson.  2008.  Journal of Wildlife Management guidelines.  Journal of Wildlife Management 72 (1, Supplement).

Dennis, B., and M. R. M. Otten.  2000.  Joint effects of density dependence and rainfall on abundance of San Joaquin kit fox.  Journal of Wildlife Management 64:388-400.

Eckmann, R., U. Gaedke, and H. J. Wetzler.  1988.  Effects of climatic and density-dependent factors on year-class strength of Coregonus lavaretus in Lake Constance.  Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 45:1088-1093.

Krebs, C. J.  2001.  Ecology: the experimental analysis of distribution and abundance.  Fifth edition.  Harper Collins College Publishers, New York, New York, USA.  (on reserve at library)

Mills, L. Scott.  2007.  Conservation of wildlife populations: demography, genetics, and management.  Blackwell Publishers, Malden, Massachusetts, USA.  (required text)

Scott, J. M., F. Davis, B. Csuti, F. Noss, B. Butterfield, C. Groves, H. Anderson, S. Caico, F. D'erchia, T. C. Edwards, Jr., J. Ulliman, and R. G. Wright.  1993.  GAP analysis: a geographic approach to protection of biological diversity.  Wildlife Monographs 123.

Staples, D. F., M. L. Taper, and B. B. Shepard.  2005.  Risk-based viable population monitoring.  Conservation Biology 6:1908-1916.