Modeling for Endangered Species Management

Target Audience:  

Biologists who wish to use modeling for species status assessments and for evaluating management and policy alternatives for recovery.  

Summary and Objectives: 

During this course, participants will have the opportunity to explore the application of analytical approaches and models to the management of threatened and endangered animal populations. Emphasis will be placed on the development of modeling skills (using Excel spreadsheets), estimation of vital rates, modeling population dynamics, and the interpretation of model outcomes for managing threatened populations. The course is designed for participants to learn the concepts and techniques through presentations, exercises, and working with data sets. The aim of these exercises is to familiarize biologists with the modeling techniques frequently used in population viability analysis, as well as evaluate recovery criteria and management/policy alternatives (effects of habitat improvements, impacts of augmentation, etc.).  

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: 

• Estimate critical life history parameters (growth, size at maturity, and mortality) in animal populations. 
• Build age and stage-structured population models to assess population status. 
• Run simulation modeling to evaluate the efficacy of recovery methods and habitat restoration to meet objectives for rare and endangered animal populations.