Simulation of host-parasite interactions within a resource management framework: Impact of brucellosis on bison population dynamics

Submitted by bsiadmin on Mon, 04/07/2008 - 16:59.

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Peterson, Markus J.; Grant, William E.; Davis, Don

Source:

Ecological Modelling, Volume 54, Number 3-4, p.299-320 (1991)

Call Number:

288

Keywords:

animal studies; animals; bison (Bos bison); brucellosis; Brucella abortus; Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem; mammals; management; modeling; natural resource management; parasites; population dynamics; ungulates; wildlife health; brucella; bacteria

Abstract:

We describe development of a simulation model representing bison (host)-brucellosis (parasite) interactions within a natural resource management framework. We document three phases in model development which focus on the simulation of bison population dynamics in (1) a brucellosis-free herd, (2) a brucellosis-infected herd, and (3) an infected herd subjected to different vaccination schemes. The model accurately simulated historical changes in herd size, annual recruitment, population age structure, and survivorship of individual cohorts over a 17-year period in a brucellosis-free bison herd on the National Bison Range, U.S.A. (Phase I). The model also accurately simulated historical changes in herd size, and predicted the most likely year of infection, in a bison herd in Grand Teton National Park, U.S.A., that contracted the disease during a 20-year period (Phase II). Finally, the model was used to evaluate a proposed bison brucellosis management plan for the Grand Teton National Park herd which involves annual vaccination of female calves (Phase III).

Notes:

Found in Bison LibraryNatureBib ID: 113145