Resource-defense polygyny and self-limitation of population density in free-ranging guanacos

Andrea Marino, Victoria Rodríguez and Gustavo Pazos

Behavioral Ecology, 2016, vol. 27, issue 3, 757-765

Abstract: Lay Summary We provide empirical evidence consistent with a mechanism by which territorial behavior can limit population density in a large herbivore, lowering overgrazing risks. These findings imply departures from the expected outcomes under the classic approach to ungulate demography and grazing management. Our results indicate that factors in addition to food availability may determine carrying capacity under resource defense systems, stressing the importance of accounting for behavioral traits when addressing population regulation and conservation issues.

Keywords: carrying capacity; density regulation; Lama guanicoe; recruitment; territorial defense (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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