INIBIOMA   20415
INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES EN BIODIVERSIDAD Y MEDIOAMBIENTE
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Socially-informed random walks: Incorporating group dynamics into models of population spread and growth
Autor/es:
HAYDON, D. T.; MORALES, J. M.; YOTT, A.; JENKINS, D.; ROSSATE, R.; FRYXELL, J. M.
Revista:
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. SERIES B: BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES.
Referencias:
Año: 2008 vol. 275 p. 1101 - 1109
ISSN:
0962-8452
Resumen:
Simple correlated random walk (CRW) models are rarely sufficient to
describe movement of animals over more than the shortest time scales.
However, CRW approaches can be used to model more complex animal
movement trajectories by assuming individuals move in one of several
different behavioural or movement states, each characterized by a
different CRW. The spatial and social context an individual experiences
may influence the proportion of time spent in different movement
states, with subsequent effects on its spatial distribution, survival
and fecundity. While methods to study habitat influences on animal
movement have been previously developed, social influences have been
largely neglected. Here, we fit a 'socially informed' movement model to
data from a population of over 100 elk (Cervus canadensis) reintroduced
into a new environment, radio-collared and subsequently tracked over a
4-year period. The analysis shows how elk move further when they are
solitary than when they are grouped and incur a higher rate of
mortality the further they move away from the release area. We use the
model to show how the spatial distribution and growth rate of the
population depend on the balance of fission and fusion processes
governing the group structure of the population. The results are
briefly discussed with respect to the design of species reintroduction
programmes.