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Population dynamics of badgers in Oxfordshire: numbers, density, life
histories, climate change and population
Journal
Journal of Zoology
Volume 256 Issue 1,Pages121-138 Published Online: 28Feb2006
Authors
D. W. Macdonald 1
* C. Newman 1 1 Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of
Zoology, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, U.K.
Abstract
Between 1987 and 1996 the numbers of badgers Meles
meles in Wytham Woods rose from 60 to 228 adults. The area occupied by the
population has not changed and thus density has also risen from 10 adult
badgers/km2 to 38/km2. This rise parallels an increase in badger abundance
seen across Britain in recent years. The hypothesis that this increase is
either the consequence of improved badger protection or of changes in
habitat can be rejected for this site. Instead, a link between increasing
numbers and changing weather patterns, possibly resulting from climate
change, is investigated. In particular, attention is drawn to a
correlation between mild winters and heavier body weights of badgers in
January. Furthermore socio-spatial restructuring within the population may
be the mechanism that has permitted high density to be sustainable. The
increase in badger numbers at Wytham has not affected population sex
ratio, which has remained relatively constant at parity throughout the
study.
Keywords
bovine tuberculosis • Mycobacterium bovis • sex
ratio • climate change • Eurasian badger • Meles meles
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