Reproductive ecology and population viability of alpine-endemic ptarmigan populations in Colorado

Reproductive ecology and population viability of alpine-endemic ptarmigan populations in Colorado

Understanding factors regulating populations is a fundamental goal of population ecology. Life-history traits such as survival and fecundity are key vital rates responsible for population change and may vary across elevational gradients. At the upper end of this gradient, the alpine zone, populations are faced with extremely short growing seasons, unpredictable winter conditions dictated by snowpack, and the continued threat of habitat loss due to temperatures increasing beyond the range that defines these cold systems. To date, few studies have addressed population regulation of alpine-endemic species in the context of the aforementioned factors. I used long-term demographic data collected over a 51-year period at two study sites (Mt. Evans and Trail Ridge) together with a contemporary field study (2013- 2015) at three sites (Mt. Evans, Trail Ridge, and Mesa Seco) to examine factors regulating alpine-endemic white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura) in Colorado.

Wann, Gregory T.

Wildlife Conservation

Ecology

214 pages

2017

Text

application/pdf

English

Colorado State University