Demographic characteristics and population modeling: Chapter 8 in Status, ecology and conservation of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (RMRS-GTR-60)

An understanding of the basic demography of a species is necessary to estimate and evaluate population trends. The relative impact of different demographic parameters on growth rates can be assessed through a sensitivity analysis, in which different parameters are altered singly to assess the effect on population growth. Identification of critical parameters can allow managers to focus their efforts on factors most likely to increase populations.