Precipitation, Density, and Population Dynamics of Desert Bighorn Sheep on San Andres National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Bender LC and Weisenberger ME. 2005. Precipitation, Density, and Population Dynamics of Desert Bighorn Sheep on San Andres National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 33(3):956-964
Using data collected from 1941-1976, environmental factors that affect population dynamics of desert bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis mexicana, on San Andres National Wildlife Refuge (SANWR), New Mexico, was investigated. Lamb:female ratios and population density were strongly correlated to total annual precipitation for the area. Thus, habitat evaluations and recovery plans for bighorn sheep need to primarily consider factors such as precipitation and food availability and secondarily issues such as security cover, predation, and disease.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Bender, Louis; Weisenberger, Mara
- Units
- JOTR
- Keywords
- Carrying Capacity, Density dependence, Density independence, Desert Bighorn Sheep, Ovis canadensis mexicana, Population Dynamics, Population regulation, Precipitation, San Andrew National Wildlife Refuge, Taxa Links To References