META-X: Generic Software for Metapopulation Viability Analysis

The major tools used to make population viability analyses (PVA) quantitative are stochastic models of population dynamics. Since a specially tailored model cannot be developed for every threatened population, generic models have been designed which can be parameterised and analysed by non-modellers. These generic models compromise on detail so that they can be used for a wide range of species. However, generic models have been criticised because they can be employed without the user being fully aware of the concepts, methods, potentials, and limitations of PVA. Here, we present the conception of a new generic software package for metapopulation viability analysis, META-X. This conception is based on three elements, which take into account the criticism of earlier generic PVA models: (1) comparative simulation experiments; (2) an occupancy-type model structure which ignores details of local population dynamics (these details are integrated in external submodels); and (3) a unifying currency to quantify persistence and viability, the intrinsic mean time to extinction. The rationale behind these three elements is explained and demonstrated by exemplary applications of META-X in the three fields for which META-X has been designed: teaching, risk assessment in the field, and planning. The conception of META-X is based on the notion that PVA is a tool to deal with rather than to overcome uncertainty. The purpose of PVA is to produce relative, not absolute, assessments of extinction risk which support, but do not supplant, management decisions.     

卧龙自然保护区黑熊种群生存力初步分析

依据黑熊种群的相关参数,借助旋涡软件（Vortex 8.21),对卧龙自然保护区内黑熊的种群动态进行了模拟分析,结果表明：在没有近亲繁殖和食物歉收,人类诱捕等灾害影响的情况下,卧龙黑熊种群数量100年间稳步增长;而在加入近亲繁殖和灾害等因素时,种群数据下降,据此,提出了相应的保护措施和建议。     

植物种群生存力分析研究进展

对十多年来国外植物PVA的研究进行了综合评述;具体分析了影响植物种群生存力的各种随机性因子及确定性因子;总结了植物PVA研究的方法步骤及采用的模拟模型;探讨了植物PVA的难点,PVA对管理措施的评价效果;并提出对今后植物PVA的研究展望,认为PVA是研究濒危植物种群灭绝及评价管理或保护措施的有力工具;发展描述复杂种间关系的多种种的PVA模型以及包含多个影响因素的PVA应用模型是未来植物PVA的研究方向。     

黑白仰鼻猴种群生存力初步分析

根据黑白仰鼻猴 (Rhinopithecusbieti)的相关参数 ,借助漩涡模型 (Vortex 9 4 2 ) ,对黑白仰鼻猴的种群动态进行了模拟分析。结果表明 ,在没有近亲繁殖和偷猎影响的情况下 ,各亚种群 10 0年间均持续增长 ,即使数量较少的攀天阁和白济讯亚种群的灭绝概率也只有 3%和 6 %。在加入近亲繁殖和偷猎因素时 ,有 5个亚种群 (小昌都、乌牙普牙、金丝厂、富合山和格花箐 )保持增长态势 ,3亚种群 (茨卡通、各摩茸及响姑箐 )数量保持稳定 ,其他 5个亚种群 (米拉卡、巴美、龙马山、攀天阁和白济讯 )呈下降趋势。在其他条件相同的情况下 ,大的环境容纳量能够促进亚种群的增长 ,因此 ,保护生境是保护该物种的根本途径。偷猎对整个异质种群增长有负作用 ,所以杜绝偷猎发生是保护该物种的重要条件。近亲繁殖率随种群减小和时间推移逐渐增加 ,也对猴群的长期存活有负面影响。     

The Role of Density Regulation in Extinction Processes and Population Viability Analysis

We review the role of density dependence in the stochastic extinction of populations and the role density dependence has played in population viability analysis (PVA) case studies. In total, 32 approaches have been used to model density regulation in theoretical or applied extinction models, 29 of them are mathematical functions of density dependence, and one approach uses empirical relationships between density and survival, reproduction, or growth rates. In addition, quasi-extinction levels are sometimes applied as a substitute for density dependence at low population size. Density dependence further has been modelled via explicit individual spacing behaviour and/or dispersal. We briefly summarise the features of density dependence available in standard PVA software, provide summary statistics about the use of density dependence in PVA case studies, and discuss the effects of density dependence on extinction probability. The introduction of an upper limit for population size has the effect that the probability of ultimate extinction becomes 1. Mean time to extinction increases with carrying capacity if populations start at high density, but carrying capacity often does not have any effect if populations start at low numbers. In contrast, the Allee effect is usually strong when populations start at low densities but has only a limited influence on persistence when populations start at high numbers. Contrary to previous opinions, other forms of density dependence may lead to increased or decreased persistence, depending on the type and strength of density dependence, the degree of environmental variability, and the growth rate. Furthermore, effects may be reversed for different quasi-extinction levels, making the use of arbitrary quasi-extinction levels problematic. Few systematic comparisons of the effects on persistence between different models of density dependence are available. These effects can be strikingly different among models. Our understanding of the effects of density dependence on extinction of metapopulations is rudimentary, but even opposite effects of density dependence can occur when metapopulations and single populations are contrasted. We argue that spatially explicit models hold particular promise for analysing the effects of density dependence on population viability provided a good knowledge of the biology of the species under consideration exists. Since the results of PVAs may critically depend on the way density dependence is modelled, combined efforts to advance statistical methods, field sampling, and modelling are urgently needed to elucidate the relationships between density, vital rates, and extinction probability.     

四川宝兴县大熊猫种群生存力分析

宝兴县境内现有的164只大熊猫可被视为一异质种群,分为亚种群A(东河:115只)、亚种群B(西河以西:40只)及亚种群C(三岔河以下:9只).应用漩涡模型(VORTEX 8.42)对影响该异质种群未来动态的因子进行了初步分析.结果 表明:近亲繁殖对该异质种群和各亚种群的影响较为明显,随着近亲繁殖程度的加深,种群衰退的速度也越快;种群的未来发展对环境容纳量的大小变化具有高度的敏感性:环境容纳量大幅度减少时,对种群的负面影响非常严重;模拟的两种灾害因子(竹子开花和森林大火)对该种群均产生一定程度的影响,同一灾害因子,单次影响越大,种群下降越快,而发生频率较高、单次影响较小的灾害因子(如森林火灾)较发生频率低、单次影响大的灾害因子(如竹子开花)对种群的动态影响更大.     

Assessing Population Viability of Black Bears using Spatial Capture-Recapture Models

The Central Georgia Bear Population (CGP) is the least abundant and most isolated of Georgia's 3 American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations. Beginning in 2011, changes to regulations governing harvest of the CGP resulted in an increase in female bear harvest, creating concern that future harvest could be an important influence on population viability. Hence, our objective was to assess viability of the CGP under various levels of female mortality. During 2012–2016, we used barbed-wire hair snares to collect bear hair samples from within the range of the CGP in Georgia, USA. We used microsatellite genotyping to identify individual bears and created robust-design, spatial detection histories for all female bears detected. We fit open population spatial capture-recapture (SCR) models to the detection histories in a Bayesian framework. We used the Widely Applicable Information Criterion (WAIC) to rank models that varied with respect to sources of variation in detection probability, survival, and per capita recruitment, and used the model with the lowest WAIC to forecast dynamics of the CGP 50 years into the future under various levels of female mortality. We assessed the 50-year extinction probability under a continuation of mortality levels documented during 2012–2016, and under incremental increases in female mortality above this baseline. The top model included density-dependent per capita recruitment, annual variation in detection probability, and a trap-level behavioral response. Abundance increased from 106 (95% CI = 86–132) females in 2012 to 136 (95% CI = 113–161) females in 2013 and remained relatively stable thereafter. Annual female survival was 0.75 (95% CI = 0.69–0.82) and did not vary among years. The per capita recruitment rate decreased over time as density increased, and was 0.49 (95% CI = 0.33–0.66) during the first time interval and 0.29 (95% CI = 0.20–0.38) during the final time interval. Annual growth rate () was 1.28 (95% CI = 1.07–1.52) between 2012 and 2013 but decreased throughout the study, ending at 1.04 (95% CI = 0.93–1.17). Forecasts indicated continuation of the female mortality levels experienced from 2012–2016 were sustainable over 50 years, with the estimated extinction risk being <0.001%. Increasing annual harvest by 5 females introduced a negligible increase in the 50-year probability of extinction, but harvesting an additional 10 females/year caused extinction risk to rise to 1.15%. We recommend that harvest regulations are structured such that mortality rates remain at current levels or do not increase by more than an annual average of 5 females above levels observed during our study. Furthermore, we recommend that managers continue to monitor the population so that harvest regulations and population models can be refined over time. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.     

唐家河大熊猫种群生存力分析

唐家河大熊猫是一个包括3个亚种群的异质种群,借助于游涡模型（vortex 8.21),对唐家河大熊猫未来100a内的种群动态动物了模拟,并分析了不同因子对该种群命运的影响,结果表明,在不考虑近亲繁殖,灾害等因素的情况下,该种群100a内在总体上保持稳定,并略有增长,但种群基因杂合率下降,累积绝灭率增加,尤以薄衣沟亚种群为最,提高环境容纳量,补充外来个体等措施能在不同程度上有利于该种群的长期存活,而近亲繁殖,灾害等因素则大大加速了种群的灭绝步伐,另外,成功的迁移扩散有利于异质种群的稳定与发展,否则对数量稀少的大熊猫种群有害无益,最后提出了针对性的保护与管理建议。     

Population control based on abundance estimates: Frequency does not compensate for uncertainty

For decision making processes related to a sustainable harvest, two aspects are of fundamental importance: first, the insufficient accuracy of abundance estimates and second, the fact that an increased mortality will not necessarily decrease the population size. To optimise decision making, we investigated how uncertainty, namely incomplete information and inadequate understanding about the conditions and the relationships between system components, affect the feasibility of population control. To this end, we developed an age-structured population model for roe deer, one of the most common ungulates in Europe. The model simulates hunting processes that are affected by uncertainties related to abundance estimates and species demography. The results indicated that uncertainty related to abundance estimates largely reduced the ability to achieve target population densities. Surprisingly, this effect was not weakened by more frequent estimations. We conclude that decreasing the interval of abundance estimates counterintuitively cannot compensate for lacking accuracy. This novel aspect should therefore be considered in the management of dynamic ecological systems.     

Viability of the Endangered Little Bustard <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetrax tetrax</Emphasis> Population of Western France

Stochastic computer simulations are used to evaluate the sensitivity of Little bustard population parameters, estimating the survival probabilities of the seven endangered Little bustard populations of central-western France for which conservation actions are currentlybeing or have been implemented. Different scenarios of parameter compensation for those nuclei to establish parameter levels assuring population viability are discussed. Adult survival, productivity per female, initial population size and carrying capacity were the most sensitive parameters in a hypothetical, isolated population. Juvenile survival also affected population survival, although its sensitivity was lower. Sex ratio did not have a linear effect on population survival, but probability of extinction increased for extreme values. Productivity per female and initial population size, varied strongly among the populations studied, determining their average time of extinction and growth rate. When a metapopulation scenario was simulated, the survival probabilities of each population and the metapopulations stayed close to 1.0 if no mortality was associated to migration. When mortality during migration was included in the simulations, the metapopulation's probability of survival significantly decreased under 90%. This approach may help managers to correctly address conservation measures and design effective strategies, which should be directed mainly to improve productivity, enhance female survival, and minimise mortality during migration (e.g. promoting insect-rich nesting substrates, avoiding female killing and nest destruction at harvesting, reducing the risk of collision with powerlines, or controlling poaching).     

Model-based Conservation Decision Aiding in the Presence of Goal Conflicts and Uncertainty

Goal conflicts and uncertainty are two major problems in decision-making for conservation and species protection. Conflicts can often be found between ecological goals on the one hand and socio-economic goals on the other, but also among different ecological goals. They can be formally analysed by methods of multi-criteria analysis. As the solution of a multi-criteria decision problem usually depends on the weights put on the individual criteria (objectives), sensitivity and robustness analyses are necessary to understand the decision problem, concentrate on the essential aspects, and support actual decision processes fully. Uncertainty in the decision problem is often caused by scarcity of information needed to predict the consequences of management actions. The so-called outranking concept proved very useful in the consideration of such uncertainty. Based on a simple fictitious case study the paper demonstrates how multi-criteria decision analysis (in particular the PROMETHEE outranking method) in combination with population model analysis can assist in conservation biological decision-making.     

Estimating the rate of increase for the finless porpoise with special attention to predictions for the Inland Sea population in Japan

The finless porpoise Neophocaena asiaeorientalis inhabits coastal waters and rivers in East Asia and is exposed to various human activities. This species is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to a reduction in abundance. Although human-induced mortality can be a threat to porpoise populations, future anthropogenic impacts have not been quantitatively evaluated due to lack of demographic information. Adequate future population projections are needed to form the basis for conservation measures before the population declines to critical levels. We conducted a population viability analysis for the population of finless porpoise in the Inland Sea, Japan using a Leslie matrix model composed of age-specific survival and fertility rates. We described the uncertainty in the annual rate of increase (λ) for the finless porpoise using randomly sampled estimates of survival rate for other cetaceans with similar life histories. Plausible median estimates of λ ranged from 1.041 (age at first reproduction [AFR] = 7) to 1.056 (AFR = 5). Future population changes and extinction probabilities were predicted after combining these estimates with a predicted human-induced mortality rate (M) and available abundance estimates. The extinction probability after 100 years was 0 %. However, the probability of the quasi-extinction (<100 individuals) was as high as 79.0 % after 100 years. The results also suggest that the persistence of the finless porpoise population could be achieved with a small effort to reduce anthropogenic mortality.     

Contrasting Patterns of Demography and Population Viability Among Gopher Tortoise Populations in Alabama

Population viability analyses are useful tools to predict abundance and extinction risk for imperiled species. In southeastern North America, the federally threatened gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a keystone species in the diverse and imperiled longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem, and researchers have suggested that tortoise populations are declining and characterized by high extinction risk. We report results from a 30-year demographic study of gopher tortoises in southern Alabama (1991–2020), where 3 populations have been stable and 3 others have declined. To better understand the demographic vital rates associated with stable and declining tortoise populations, we used a multi-state hierarchical mark-recapture model to estimate sex- and stage-specific patterns of demographic vital rates at each population. We then built a predictive population model to project population dynamics and evaluate extinction risk in a population viability context. Population structure did not change significantly in stable populations, but juveniles became less abundant in declining populations over 30 years. Apparent survival varied by age, sex, and site; adults had higher survival than juveniles, but female survival was substantially lower in declining populations than in stable ones. Using simulations, we predicted that stable populations with high female survival would persist over the next 100 years but sites with lower female survival would decline, become male-biased, and be at high risk of extirpation. Stable populations were most sensitive to changes in apparent survival of adult females. Because local populations varied greatly in vital rates, our analysis improves upon previous demographic models for northern populations of gopher tortoises by accounting for population-level variation in demographic patterns and, counter to previous model predictions, suggests that small tortoise populations can persist when habitat is managed effectively. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.     

大豆猝死综合症病菌枝状镰孢的活性检测研究

应用来源于美国、阿根廷的我国对外检疫性有害生物大豆猝死综合症病菌枝状镰孢Fusarium virguliforme共8个菌株,分别在43℃至47℃ 5个温度梯度下水浴处理1min至5min 5个时间梯度,荧光染色后,经单细胞微量分析系统进行活性检测分析,设置传统萌发试验作为对照,结果表明:该病菌在47℃水浴处理4min即全部失活,SPSS统计分析得出该病菌的活性检测值与处理温度呈极显著负相关,而与处理时间(除菌株2-1和22825呈显著负相关外)均呈极显著负相关;所设置的孢子萌发率与处理温度和处理时间之间也呈极显著负相关;活性检测值与萌发率两者之间具有极显著的正相关性.本研究表明活性检测可以替代传统的孢子萌发方法,从而大幅度缩短该病菌活性检测时间,明显提高检测效率.     

Viability and Management of an Endangered Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) Metapopulation in the Jura Mountains, Western Switzerland

The populations of Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), the largest European grouse, have seriously declined during the last century over most of their distribution in western and central Europe. In the Jura mountains, the relict population is now isolated and critically endangered (about 500 breeding adults). We developed a simulation software (TetrasPool) that accounts for age and spatial structure as well as stochastic processes, to perform a viability analysis and explore management scenarios for this population, capitalizing on a 24 years-long series of field data. Simulations predict a marked decline and a significant extinction risk over the next century, largely due to environmental and demographic stochasticity (average values of life-history parameters would otherwise allow stability). Variances among scenarios mainly stem from uncertainties about the shape and intensity of density dependence. Uncertainty analyses suggest to focus conservation efforts on enhancing, not only adult survival (as often advocated for long-lived species), but also recruitment. The juvenile stage matters when local populations undergo extinctions, because it ensures connectivity and recolonization. Besides limiting human perturbations, a silvicultural strategy aimed at opening forest structure should improve the quality and surface of available patches, independent of their size and localization. Such measures are to be taken urgently, if the population is to be saved.     

Anthropogenic Disturbance and Population Viability of Woodland Caribou in Ontario

One of the most challenging tasks in wildlife conservation and management is to clarify how spatial variation in land cover due to anthropogenic disturbance influences wildlife demography and long-term viability. To evaluate this, we compared rates of survival and population growth by woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) from 2 study sites in northern Ontario, Canada that differed in the degree of anthropogenic disturbance because of commercial logging and road development, resulting in differences in predation risk due to gray wolves (Canis lupus). We used an individual-based model for population viability analysis (PVA) that incorporated adaptive patterns of caribou movement in relation to predation risk and food availability to predict stochastic variation in rates of caribou survival. Field estimates of annual survival rates for adult female caribou in the unlogged ( 0.90) and logged ( 0.76) study sites recorded during 2010–2014 did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) from values predicted by the individual-based PVA model (unlogged: = 0.87; logged: 0.79). Outcomes from the individual-based PVA model and a simpler stage-structured matrix model suggest that substantial differences in adult survival largely due to wolf predation are likely to lead to long-term decline of woodland caribou in the commercially logged landscape, whereas the unlogged landscape should be considerably more capable of sustaining caribou. Estimates of population growth rates (λ) for the 2010–2014 period differed little between the matrix model and the individual-based PVA model for the unlogged (matrix model = 1.01; individual-based model = 0.98) and logged landscape (matrix model = 0.88; individual-based model = 0.89). We applied the spatially explicit PVA model to assess the viability of woodland caribou across 14 woodland caribou ranges in Ontario. Outcomes of these simulations suggest that woodland caribou ranges that have experienced significant levels of commercial forestry activities in the past had annual growth rates <0.89, whereas caribou ranges that had not experienced commercial forestry operations had population growth rates >0.96. These differences were strongly related to regional variation in wolf densities. Our results suggest that increased wolf predation risk due to anthropogenic disturbance is of sufficient magnitude to cause appreciable risk of population decline in woodland caribou in Ontario. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Wildlife Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.     

Combining data‐derived priors with postrelease monitoring data to predict persistence of reintroduced populations

Monitoring is an essential part of reintroduction programs, but many years of data may be needed to obtain reliable population projections. This duration can potentially be reduced by incorporating prior information on expected vital rates (survival and fecundity) when making inferences from monitoring data. The prior distributions for these parameters can be derived from data for previous reintroductions, but it is important to account for site‐to‐site variation. We evaluated whether such informative priors improved our ability to estimate the finite rate of increase (λ) of the North Island robin (Petroica longipes) population reintroduced to Tawharanui Regional Park, New Zealand. We assessed how precision improved with each year of postrelease data added, comparing models that used informative or uninformative priors. The population grew from about 22 to 80 individuals from 2007 to 2016, with λ estimated to be 1.23 if density dependence was included in the model and 1.13 otherwise. Under either model, 7 years of data were required before the lower 95% credible limit for λ was > 1, giving confidence that the population would persist. The informative priors did not reduce this requirement. Data‐derived priors are useful before reintroduction because they allow λ to be estimated in advance. However, in the case examined here, the value of the priors was overwhelmed once site‐specific monitoring data became available. The Bayesian method presented is logical for reintroduced populations. It allows prior information (used to inform prerelease decisions) to be integrated with postrelease monitoring. This makes full use of the data for ongoing management decisions. However, if the priors properly account for site‐to‐site variation, they may have little predictive value compared with the site‐specific data. This value will depend on the degree of site‐to‐site variation as well as the quality of the data.     

荒漠珍稀灌木半日花种群数量动态的谱分析

依据不同坡位的半日花（Helianthemum ordosicum）种群的野外样方调查数据,运用谱分析数学方法,对其种群数量动态变化进行了分析研究。结果表明：在以地径级差划分龄级的基础上,半日花种群天然更新过程的动态是通过半日花不同龄级的株数分布波动而表现的。不同坡位半日花种群的数量动态过程受基波影响最明显,并且波动还表现出明显的中、小周期。不同坡位种群均存在基本周期1／2的12～15mm地径增量的中等长度的周期波动,以及2．00～6．25mm地径增量的小周期波动。这种中、小周期波动与环境压力、种间竞争及自身生理特性等有关。由于不同坡位的生境条件不同,表现为从坡下部到坡上部,半日花种群数量变动的波动小周期（地径增量表型）逐渐缩短。人为干扰对不同坡位半日花种群动态的波动产生影响。半日花种群数量动态变化的这种周期性的波动可使半日花种群的自我稳定性得以维持与延续。     

格氏栲种群数量动态的谱分析研究

运用谱分析数学方法,研究分析格氏栲林格氏栲种群动态规律．结果表明：格氏栲种群数量动态的周期波动性是明显的,与格氏栲天然更新过程有关;不同生境、人为干扰均对辂氏栲种群数量动态的波动产生影响;格氏栲生长量的周期波动与其种群数量动态的周期波动特征基本一致,表明格氏栲种群数量动态呈周期波浪式发展,即表征格氏栲林优势种群的稳定性。     

Population dynamics models in plant-insect herbivore-pesticide interactions

We consider several population dynamics models in investigating data from controlled experiments with aphids in broccoli patches surrounded by different margin types (bare or weedy ground) and three levels of insecticide spray (no, light, or heavy spray). We carry out parameter estimation computations along with statistical analysis to compare autonomous versus non-autonomous model dynamics. We conclude with a brief discussion of some not-so-subtle pitfalls that can arise when using quantitative measures of model fit-to-data to make biological inferences as well as offer a positive example of how one might combine a priori biological hypothesis and intuition with rather sophisticated (from a field biology viewpoint) mathematical methodologies to suggest synergisms.