Modeling the Sustainable Harvest of Female Polar Bears
Taylor MK, Demaster DP, Bunnell FL, Schweinsburg RE. 1987. Modeling the Sustainable Harvest of Female Polar Bears. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 51(4):811-820
We explored the boundaries of sustainable harvest of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) by considering a range of values for population parameters in a discrete, age specific model structured to mimic polar bear life history. Survival rate of adult females is the predominant factor affecting population growth rate and sustainable harvest of polar bears although other factors may also be significant; e.g., cub survival, litter size, and age of 1st reproduction. The parameter of least importance is litter production rate. Deferred reproduction has a small effect on population growth rate. These findings are consistent with theoretical predictions for populations experiencing density independent mortality mainly restricted to juveniles. The critical issue, when considering the long-term effect of any harvest, is the effect on numbers of breeding females. Under optimal conditions the sustainable yield of adult female polar bears is typically <1.6% of the total population.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Taylor, Mitchell; Demaster, Douglas; Bunnell, Fred; Schweinsburg, Raymond
- Units
- BELA , CAKR , KOVA , NOAT
- Keywords
- Arctic, Coastal/Marine, Harvest, Mammals, Marine Mammals, Polar Bear, Ursus maritimus, Wildlife Management