TY - JOUR
T1 - Factors leading to different viability predictions for a grizzly bear data set
AU - Mills, L. Scott
AU - Hayes, Stephen G.
AU - Baldwin, Calib
AU - Wisdom, Michael J.
AU - Citta, John
AU - Mattson, David J.
AU - Murphy, Kerry
PY - 1996/6
Y1 - 1996/6
N2 - Population viability analysis programs are being used increasingly in research and management applications, but there has not been a systematic study of the congruence of different program predictions based on a single data set. We performed such an analysis using four population viability analysis computer programs: GAPPS, INMAT, RAMAS/AGE and VORTEX. The standardized demographic rates used in all programs were generalized from hypothetical increasing and decreasing grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) populations. Idiosyncracies of input format for each program led to minor differences in intrinsic growth rates that translated into striking differences in estimates of extinction rates and expected population size. In contrast, the addition of demographic stochasticity, environmental stochasticity, and inbreeding costs caused only a small divergence in viability predictions. But, the addition of density dependence caused large deviations between the programs despite our best attempts to use the same density-dependent functions. Population viability programs differ in how density dependence is incorporated, and the necessary functions are difficult to parameterize accurately. Thus we recommend that unless data clearly suggest a particular density-dependent model, predictions based on population viability analysis should include at least one scenario without density dependence. Further, we describe output metrics that may differ between programs, development of future software could benefit from standardized input and output formats across different programs.
AB - Population viability analysis programs are being used increasingly in research and management applications, but there has not been a systematic study of the congruence of different program predictions based on a single data set. We performed such an analysis using four population viability analysis computer programs: GAPPS, INMAT, RAMAS/AGE and VORTEX. The standardized demographic rates used in all programs were generalized from hypothetical increasing and decreasing grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) populations. Idiosyncracies of input format for each program led to minor differences in intrinsic growth rates that translated into striking differences in estimates of extinction rates and expected population size. In contrast, the addition of demographic stochasticity, environmental stochasticity, and inbreeding costs caused only a small divergence in viability predictions. But, the addition of density dependence caused large deviations between the programs despite our best attempts to use the same density-dependent functions. Population viability programs differ in how density dependence is incorporated, and the necessary functions are difficult to parameterize accurately. Thus we recommend that unless data clearly suggest a particular density-dependent model, predictions based on population viability analysis should include at least one scenario without density dependence. Further, we describe output metrics that may differ between programs, development of future software could benefit from standardized input and output formats across different programs.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0030451405&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1046/j.1523-1739.1996.10030863.x
DO - 10.1046/j.1523-1739.1996.10030863.x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0030451405
SN - 0888-8892
VL - 10
SP - 863
EP - 873
JO - Conservation Biology
JF - Conservation Biology
IS - 3
ER -