Use of structured population models for wildlife conservation and management

Background/Question/Methods

Structured population models in general and matrix population models in particular have become indispensable tools for wildlife managers and conservation biologists. They have been used for (i) synthesizing diverse datasets and scattered information such that population-level inference can be deduced; (ii) identifying causes of population declines or explosive growth; (iii) identifying management targets; (iv) discerning population-level responses of past management actions; and (v) quantifying demographic and population dynamic consequences of naturally occurring or anthropogenically-induced perturbation to the environment (e.g., fire, infectious diseases).

Results/Conclusions

I will present three case studies to illustrate how matrix population models have been used for the conservation of an endangered species (Florida panthers), quantification of demographic and economic consequences of practices currently in place for the management of a rapidly increasing population (wild horses), and quantification of the demographic and population dynamic consequences of a wildlife disease.