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Evolutionary responses to harvesting in ungulates
G Proaktor1, T Coulson, E J Milner-Gulland
1Division of Biology and Centre for Population Biology, Imperial College, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK. gil.proaktor03@imperial.ac.uk
The Journal of Animal Ecology
|June 23, 2007
Summary
Harvesting red deer can drive evolutionary changes, favoring lighter, younger females for reproduction. This shift impacts population dynamics and long-term yield, with harvest rate being more critical than selectivity.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Population Dynamics
Background:
- Harvesting is a significant selective pressure in natural populations.
- Understanding evolutionary responses to harvesting is crucial for wildlife management.
- Previous studies on aquatic species suggest harvesting can induce adaptive changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary responses of red deer (Cervus elaphus) females to different harvesting regimes.
- To model the impact of harvesting on weight at first reproduction and population structure.
- To determine the relative importance of harvest rate versus selectivity in driving evolutionary adaptations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a state-dependent, stochastic, density-dependent individual-based model.
- Simulated red deer populations under various harvesting scenarios.
- Analyzed changes in mean weight at first reproduction and distribution patterns.
Main Results:
- Increased harvesting shifted the population towards lighter weights at first reproduction.
- Intermediate harvest rates resulted in a bimodal distribution of weights.
- Selective harvesting of heavy animals had no additional effect, but light female harvesting increased maturation weights.
Conclusions:
- Harvesting-induced mortality can drive adaptive evolution in ungulates, prioritizing early, lightweight reproduction.
- Harvest rate is a more significant driver of adaptive responses than selectivity.
- Intense harvesting can lead to population decline due to a skewed distribution of young, light individuals.
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