a b s t r a c tIntegrated population models combine data from several sources into a single model to allow the simultaneous estimation of demographic parameters and the prediction of population trajectories. They are especially useful when survey data alone are insufficient to estimate precise vital rates and abundance, and to understand mechanisms of population growth and decline. The St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) beluga population was depleted by intensive hunting over the past century, and had declined to 1000 individuals or less when it was afforded protection in 1979. Despite protective measures, the SLE population has shown no signs of recovery. Low abundance estimates and high calf mortalities observed in recent years have raised concerns as to its current status. An age-structured Bayesian model was used to describe population dynamics by integrating information from two different monitoring programs. The model included information on population size and proportion of young (<2 years-old) obtained from seven photographic aerial surveys flown between 1990 and 2009, and mortalities documented annually by a carcass monitoring program maintained from 1983 to 2012. Results suggest that the population was stable or slightly increasing from the end of the 1960s until the early 2000s when it numbered approximately 1000 belugas. The population then declined to 889 individuals (95%CI 672−1167) in 2012. Although neither dataset on its own could explain this decline, the integrated model was able to shed light on the internal processes involved. Results suggest substantial changes in population dynamics and age structure, moving from a stable period (1984−1998) characterized by a 3-year calving cycle and a population composed of 7.5% newborns and 42% immature individuals, to an unstable state (1999−2012) characterized by a 2-year calving cycle, high newborn mortality and a declining proportion of newborns and immatures (respectively, 6 and 33% in 2012). Independent indices of abundance, population age structure and calf production match model predictions, thus increasing our confidence in its conclusions. The lack of recovery, high adult mortality (6%) and highly variable newborn survival further increase concerns about this population.Crown
Photographic and visual aerial surveys to determine current pup production of Northwest Atlantic harp seals were conducted off Newfoundland and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence during March 1999‐Photographic surveys were conducted on all whelping concentrations between 14 and 24 March, whereas a visual survey was made of the southern Gulf concentrations on 14 March. Pup production was estimated to be 739,100 (SE = 96,300, CV = 13.0%) at the Front, 82,600 (SE = 22,500, CV = 27.2%) in the northern Gulf, and 176,200 (SE = 25,400, CV = 14.4%) in the southern Gulf (Magdalen Island) for a total of 997,900 (SE = 102,100, 10.2%). Changes in aerial survey estimates indicate that pup production has increased since 1994. A new method to correct for the temporal change in the proportion of pups present on the ice was examined by fitting the percentage of pups observed in three age‐dependent stages to a Normal distribution. The results were compared to those obtained from a more complex model used previously. The Simple model produced slightly higher, and hence more conservative, estimates of the proportion of births that had occurred before the time of the survey than the Complex model. When using the Simple model fewer assumptions regarding the start date of pupping and the proportion of older pups remaining on the ice were required, the herd had to be followed for a shorter period, and a more convenient means of calculating confidence limits was available.
Mean age at first birth and reproductive rates were examined in a sample of 526 female grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) reproductive tracts collected between 1968 and 1992. Age of first birth determined from reproductive tracts with a fetus was 5.5 ± 0.12 yr (mean ± SD). No trend over time was observed in mean age at first birth or in pregnancy rates. Pregnancy rates determined from reproductive tracts containing a fetus were 0.18, 0.86, and 0.88 for animals aged 4+, 5+, and >6+ yr, respectively. Pregnancy rates calculated from the presence of a corpus luteum were 0.01, 0.45, 0.9, and 1 for ages 3+, 4+, 5+, and >6+, respectively. Mean age of sexual maturity of males was 5.6 yr as estimated from changes in testes mass in a sample of 89 seals collected during August–September 1992. A marked increase in testes mass was observed among animals aged 3+ yr. By age 7+ yr, virtually all males had attained sexual maturity.
The northwest Atlantic subspecies of gray seal (Halicheorus grypus grypus) has been increasing for more than a half century and has reestablished breeding colonies in Canadian and US waters. In 2016, visual, oblique, and vertical large-format digital photographic surveys were conducted at all known breeding colonies in the northwest Atlantic. Total pup production in the northwest Atlantic was estimated to be 109,000 (SE = 17,500) pups. At 87,500 (SE = 15,100) pups, Sable Island accounts for 80% of total pup production. Regional differences in pup production trends are evident. Pup production in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and along the eastern shore of Nova Scotia has been relatively stable. Since 2004, the rate of increase in pup production at Sable Island has slowed to about 5%-7% per
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.