Forage interactions and black-tailed jack rabbit population dynamics: a simulation model [Lepus californicus]

We describe a simulation model that estimates the energy and protein demand, body weight fluctuations, and population density changes of black-tailed jack rabbits (Lepus californicus), and tests the hypothesis that dense populations are limited by forage resources. Using field and literature values...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of wildlife management 1982-01, Vol.46 (4), p.1018-1035
Main Authors: Clark, William R., Innis, George S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Body weight
Forage
Hares
Lactation
Lepus californicus
Modeling
Mortality
Nitrogen
Nutrition
Population density
Population dynamics
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Summary:We describe a simulation model that estimates the energy and protein demand, body weight fluctuations, and population density changes of black-tailed jack rabbits (Lepus californicus), and tests the hypothesis that dense populations are limited by forage resources. Using field and literature values for energy and nitrogen requirements for maintenance, growth, and reproduction, we estimated the demand for forage resources by fluctuating jack rabbit populations in Curlew Valley, Utah. The model produced body weight dynamics within error estimates of measured body weights of both sexes for 90% of an annual cycle. Simulated daily energy requirements (161.2 kcal/kg/day) and daily nitrogen requirements (353.6 mg/kg/day) were within 10% of reported empirical values. Sensitivity analysis of model parameters and variables suggests that output is most sensitive to variations in such inputs as digestive efficiency and maximum consumption rate. Simulated populations, at peak densities, consumed
ISSN:0022-541X
1937-2817
DOI:10.2307/3808235