Abstract

Knowledge and insights on the ecological carrying capacity of a predator species is crucial for the conservation and management of an enclosed wildlife protected area. The objective of this review was to suggest and discuss the relevant factors and formulate quantitative statistical model that helps accurately predict and determine the ecological carrying capacity of a predator species in an enclosed system. To accurately predict and determine the ecological carrying capacity of a predator species, theoretical and empirical quantitative models should consider as many relevant factors as possible by which reliable and valid estimations can be made. Having considered several imperative factors, this review suggested and formulated a quantitative statistical model that helps accurately predict and determine the ecological carrying capacity of a predator species in an enclosed system. It is recommended that wildlife conservation researchers should consider the various essential factors in an integrated fashion while testing their hypotheses through experimental and/or observational scientific studies. More importantly, the application of multiple hypotheses testing will help improve the accuracy in making reliable and valid estimations on the ecological carrying capacity of a predator species in a complex natural system.

Keywords

complex natural system, conservation and management, predators, prediction, theoretical and empirical quantitative models