EaglePOPd Web Interactive: Software to investigate the demography of Bald Eagles in the Northeast, USA from 1990-2018

Abstract

Population matrix models are used to investigate demographic properties of wildlife populations. We used empirical time series data of breeding adult Bald Eagles from seven states, a symbolic population matrix model for Bald Eagles, and a combinatorial optimization algorithm to investigate the demographic quantities of the species’ recovery in the Northeast, USA from 1990-2018. This interactive software allows the user to view the algorithm-predicted asymptotic and transient quantities for Bald Eagles in the Northeast, USA from 1990-2018. Demographic quantities include a life table, predicted annual abundances, predicted bi-annual abundances, migration and dispersal, growth rates (asymptotic, transient, cumulative, and stochastic), stable stage distribution, reproductive value, survival rates, sensitivities, elasticities, damping ratios, convergence times, harmonic and arithmetic mean abundances, inertia, reactivity, amplification, attenuation, and the loss of genetic diversity. The software provides interpretation for each demographic quantity from the mathematical modeling, biological, ecological, and resource management perspectives.