Table 3.
External factors that should be targeted to inform a population model for ERAa
| Characteristic | General | Realistic | Precise |
|---|---|---|---|
|
| |||
| Predation/herbivory | NA | Inclusion of predatory and/or herbivory influences where important | Predator–prey dynamics demonstrated to have significant influence on the species of concern |
| Competition | NA | Identification of interspecific competition where important | Quantitative dynamic relationship demonstrated to have significant influence on the species of concern |
| Environmental conditions | NA or random | Understanding of vital rate response to conditions (i.e., hydroperiod, seasonal forcing) | Field-based estimates of effects of reproduction/survival as function of environmental conditions |
| Stressors: pathogens | NA | Known impacts and spread of pathogen where important | Observed impacts on species of concern |
| Stressors: abiotic, other | NA | Known impacts of abiotic stressors or extreme events | Observed impact on species of concern |
| Existing management | NA | Known management plans that influence territories/habitat availability | Observed impacts of management effects included in parameter estimates |
| Indirect effects (obligatory relationships) | NA | Other known influences of resources on growth, survival, and/or reproduction | Measured reduced resource effects on growth, survival, and/or reproduction |
ERA = ecological risk assessment; NA = not available or applicable.
a
Examples of the types of information that could be considered to provide general, realistic, or precise information are described in each column.