Home range size and population dynamic

Abstract

A relationship between home range size and population density is developed. Dynamics of the adjustment of home range size to equilibrium are considered for two cases. When the equilibrial size is constant, actual home range size approaches the equilibrial value in an exponential fashion. When the equilibrial size is a variable determined jointly by many physical and biotic factors, home range size dynamics become complex. The dynamics are treated in the simplified case in which all factors affecting the equilibrial home range size are constant except population density. Equilibrial home range size as determined by population density is defined as the sum of the area available per animal and the per animal overlap of home ranges, with a quadratic function relating overlap to population density. During exponential population growth, home range size becomes constant as the population expands infinitely or contracts toward zero. Actually, home ranges might be disrupted at extreme high or low densities. With logistic growth, home range approaches a stable size between its maximal and minimal values if the carrying capacity lies in the range of population sizes for which the equilibrial home range size is variable.