A computer simulation study of stochastic models to investigate the population dynamics of the screech owl (otus asio) under increased mortality

Abstract The work reported in this paper complements an earlier study in which deterministic models were used examine the effects of additional mortality imposed on a Screech Owl, Otus asio , population. Interest lay in the compensatory mechanisms that the owls might be able to adopt in their population dynamics to counteract the overall effect of the additional mortality imposed, in particular when only a part of the population is affected. Stochastic models are used here to address the same questions, and to give more detailed information about the likely behaviour of the owl population than the information an average sizes provided by the deterministic approach.