Estimating carrying capacity with simultaneous nutritional constraints.

Thomas Hanley; James J. Rogers

doi:10.2737/PNW-RN-485

Treesearch

Estimating carrying capacity with simultaneous nutritional constraints.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Thomas Hanley, James J. Rogers

Year:

1989

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-RN-485

Source:

Res. Note PNW-RN-485. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 31 p

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Abstract

A new procedure is presented for estimating carrying capacity (the number of animals of a given species that can be supported per unit area of habitat) on the basis of two simultaneous nutritional constraints. It requires specifying the quantity (bio-mass) and quality (chemical composition or digestibility) of available food and the nutritional requirements of the animal species. Its application is illustrated with an example involving black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) in four forest habitats during summer and winter with three sets of snow conditions and two levels of metabolic requirements for digestible energy and digestible protein. Results illustrate the fundamental importance of habitat, season, and nutritional status in determining the capability of a landscape to support animals.

Keywords

Carrying capacity, nutrition, nutritional requirements, deer, Odocoileus hemionus, wildlife habitat, wildlife management

Citation

Hanley, Thomas A.; Rogers, James J. 1989. Estimating carrying capacity with simultaneous nutritional constraints. Res. Note PNW-RN-485. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 31 p