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A Generalized Population Model based on Indian River Lagoon Dolphins

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Date Issued:
2014
Summary:
For over a decade, researchers at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute have conducted surveys of the population of bottlenose dolphins, Tersiops truncatus, in Indian River Lagoon along the east coast of Florida. I have constructed a detailed 4-stage population model using the statistical program R. The model is used as a tool for conducting a viability analysis that projects the dolphin population into the future by analyzing the relationship between birth, calf survival and adult survival rates. The model also includes a power analysis, which compares survey frequency to expected confidence intervals in estimating abundance. The model shows a strong chance of viability over a 50 year time span, primarily due to the large population size of approximately 700 adult dolphins. The population is vulnerable to long periods of decline if birth, calf or adult survival rates fall below certain thresholds. The sensitivity analysis, based on the partial derivatives of the eigenvalue with respect to each matrix element, shows that the population is most sensitive to changes in adult survival, followed by birth rate and calf survival. Overall, the model simulates the future impacts of demographic change, and thereby provides a tool for conservation efforts.
Title: A Generalized Population Model based on Indian River Lagoon Dolphins.
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Name(s): Stonger, Jon
Noonburg, Erik G.
Graduate College
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Abstract
Date Created: 2014
Date Issued: 2014
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 1 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: For over a decade, researchers at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute have conducted surveys of the population of bottlenose dolphins, Tersiops truncatus, in Indian River Lagoon along the east coast of Florida. I have constructed a detailed 4-stage population model using the statistical program R. The model is used as a tool for conducting a viability analysis that projects the dolphin population into the future by analyzing the relationship between birth, calf survival and adult survival rates. The model also includes a power analysis, which compares survey frequency to expected confidence intervals in estimating abundance. The model shows a strong chance of viability over a 50 year time span, primarily due to the large population size of approximately 700 adult dolphins. The population is vulnerable to long periods of decline if birth, calf or adult survival rates fall below certain thresholds. The sensitivity analysis, based on the partial derivatives of the eigenvalue with respect to each matrix element, shows that the population is most sensitive to changes in adult survival, followed by birth rate and calf survival. Overall, the model simulates the future impacts of demographic change, and thereby provides a tool for conservation efforts.
Identifier: FA00005853 (IID)
Collection: FAU Student Research Digital Collection
Note(s): The Fifth Annual Graduate Research Day was organized by Florida Atlantic University’s Graduate Student Association. Graduate students from FAU Colleges present abstracts of original research and posters in a competition for monetary prizes, awards, and recognition
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005853
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.