Markov models of territory occupancy: implications for the management and conservation of competing species |
| |
Authors: | Pascual López-López Alvaro Soutullo Clara García-Ripollés Vicente Urios Luis Cadahía Miguel Ferrer |
| |
Institution: | 1. “Cavanilles” Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Grupo Vertebrados Terrestres, University of Valencia, Polígono de la Coma s/n, 46980, Paterna, Valencia, Spain 2. Estación Biológica Terra Natura (CIBIO–Fundación Terra Natura), Universidad de Alicante, Apdo 99 E, 03080, Alicante, Spain 3. Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Estación Biológica de Do?ana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avda. de María Luisa s/n, Pabellón del Perú, 41013, Sevilla, Spain 4. Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Estación Biológica de Do?ana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avda, de María Luisa s/n, Pabellón del Perú, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
|
| |
Abstract: | Markov chains have been frequently used in community ecology to model successional changes, but little attention has been
paid to its application in population ecology as a tool to explore the outcomes of species interactions. Markov models can
be regarded as “null models” that provide predicted values under a no-change scenario against which the consequences of changes
in variables of interest can be assessed. Here we explore Markov chains’ potential to project population trends of competing
species and derive sensible management strategies. To do that we use six years of field data on territory occupancy and turn-over
of two competing top predators in a Mediterranean landscape: the golden and Bonelli’s eagles. The results suggest that long-term
coexistence of both species in the study area is likely, with the main limitation for their coexistence being the difficulties
Bonelli’s eagles have in colonising new territories that become available. To avoid future declines in the population of Bonelli’s
eagle, it is important to take into account that the positive effects of conservation strategies focused on encouraging colonization
(e.g. decreasing disperser mortality) are likely to be larger than those focused on avoiding territory abandonment (e.g. decreasing
adult mortality). Markov chains are likely to be useful to evaluate the relative merit of alternative management options in
other territorial species when patterns of territory occupancy are the only reliable data available, as often happens with
large predators. |
| |
Keywords: | Aquila chrysaetos Aquila fasciata Markov chains Null models Raptors Spain |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|