WLF 448: Fish & Wildlife Population Ecology

Fall 2007

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

Lab Datea Topicb Suggested Readingsc
1 Aug 21 Introduction

About the lab

Lab Format

Attendance

Student presentations

Novell network

On-line class

Accessing and running class software

Student Presentation Schedule

 
2 Aug 28 Delimiting Populations - Part 1

Definitions and basic concepts

Delineating population distributions

Geographic Information Systems

References

In-class exercise

Problem set

Help/Hints problem set

Geographic Info. Systems:
Braun Chap. 15

 

3 Sep 4 Delineating populations Part 2

Delineating population distributions

Models

Gap Analysis Project

In-Class exercise

Problem set

Help/Hints

Scott et al. 1993
4 Sep 11 Estimating Abundance: Aerial Surveys

Conceptual framework

Aerial surveys

Correcting for visibility bias

Program Aerial Survey

References

In-class exercise

Problem set

Help/Hints for problem set

Braun Chap. 5
5 Sep 18 Estimating Abundance: Mark-Recapture

Introduction

Lincoln-Petersen estimator

Schnabel estimator

Program CAPTURE

References

In-class exercise

Problem set

Help/Hints for problem set

Braun Chap. 5

Krebs 2001: 122-125

6 Sept. 25 Estimating Abundance: Line/Point Transects

Basic concepts

Software for analyzing line-transect data

Assumptions

Field procedures

Program DISTANCE

References

In-class exercise

Problem set

Help/Hints for problem set

Braun Chap. 5
7 Oct 2 Band Recovery Analysis

C-D life tables

Modern methods

Definitions

Analyzing band-recovery data

Program MARK

Assumptions of modern methods

References

In-class exercise

Problem set

HELP/HINTS for problem set

 

Krebs 2001: 133-154

Braun Chap. 14

  Oct 5 EXAM I  

 

8 Oct 9 Population Growth: Simple Models

Introduction

Exponential Growth Models

Instantaneous versus Finite Rates

References

Problem set

PART II: Life Tables

Types of life tables

Semelparity and Iteroparity

Life-table notation

Extended or expanded life tables

Methods of collecting data

Accuracy, limitations, etc.

Survivorship and mortality curves

References

 

HELP/HINTS for problem set

Braun Chap. 6

Krebs 2001: 157-160

9 Oct 16 Population Growth: Limited Environments

Introduction

  • density-dependent growth
  • general features of logistic growth
  • assumptions of logistic model

Logistic growth models

  • Overlapping generations (birth pulse)
  • Overlapping generations (birth flow)
  • Time lags

References

Problem Set

Braun Chap. 6

Krebs 2001: 157-172

10 Oct 23 Scientific writing

Writing examples

Topic sentence example

Journal of Wildlife Management Guidelines

North American Journal of Fisheries Management Guidelines

Conservation Biology Guidelines

 

Leslie Matrices

Population projections

  • Based on observed changes in N
  • Using life-table data
  • Leslie matrices

Leslie matrices

  • Leslie matrix (A)
  • Calculating Fx
  • Population vector (nt)
  • Population projections
  • Post-birth pulse example
  • Male + female projections

Assumptions

Advantages and disadvantages

References

In-class exercise

Problem Set

Braun Chap. 6

Krebs 2001:173-176

. Nov 2 EXAM II
11 Oct 30 Population Viability Analysis

Stochasticity

  • stochastic vs. deterministic models
  • types of stochasticity
  • examples of stochastic models

Population Viability Analysis

  • terminology
  • probability of extinction or persistence
  • assessing population viability
  • major questions of PVA

References

In-class exercises

Problem set

Braun Chap. 26
. Oct 29 Project Proposal Due
12 Nov 6 Metapopulations

Objectives

Definitions

Simple metapopulation models

Types of metapopulation models

In-class Exercise

Problem set

Krebs 2001: 355-359
13 Nov 13 Interspecific Competition

Definitions and Concepts

Lotka-Volterra competition model

  • Competition coefficients
  • Logistic-competition equations
  • Zero-growth isoclines
  • Phase-plane diagrams
  • Predicted outcomes of competition

Tilman's resource-competition model

  • Definitions and concepts
  • Model notation

References

In-class exercises

Problem Set

Krebs 2001: 170-190
. Nov 19 FALL RECESS - NO CLASSES
14 Nov 27 Population Interactions: Predation

Definitions and Concepts

Lotka-Volterra Model

Tanner's Model A

References

In-class Exercise

Problem Set

Krebs 2001:206-232
. Nov 30 EXAM III
. Dec 3 PROJECT REPORT DUE
15 Dec 5 Population Regulation

Course Evaluation

.Krebs 2001: 280-296
. Dec 11 FINAL EXAM 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

a Dates are for lab section 1; lab sections 2 and 3 meet two and three days later, respectively.

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:

Braun, Clait, editor. 2005. Techniques for Wildlife Investigations and Management. Sixth ed. The Wildlife Society, Bethesda, Md. 974pp. (required text)

Krebs, C. J. 2001. Ecology: the experimental analysis of distribution and abundance. Fifth ed. HarperCollins College Publishers, New York, NY.  (on reserve at library)

Mills, L. Scott.  2007. Conservation of Wildlife Populations: Demography, Genetics, and Management.  Blackwell, Malden, MA.  407 pp. (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. Wildl. Monogr. 123.


 

Revised: 25 August 2011