Towards a comprehensive framework for the analysis of density dependence in population ecology

Density dependence is a fundamental but often neglected process in Ecology and Evolution. Density dependent population regulation is typically associated with a decrease in population growth rate or a given vital rate (survival, growth, reproduction) at high population densities, but in some cases a vital rate will increase in density at low population densities. These positive and negative density dependent responses can follow a wide variety of functional forms. Furthermore, density-dependent responses may not affect all stages equally, and may vary with population structure. The main aim of DensPopDy is to push the field of population ecology towards analysing realistic density-dependent models. I will first use virtual species data to explore where and when density dependence cannot be ignored and identify barriers to the broader implementation of density-dependent structured population models. I will fit flexible models to the virtual species data that can detect density dependence that varies with an individual's age, size, or stage. I will then develop several metrics for the analysis of DD-SPMs, and evaluate their utility across a wide variety of simulated datasets and fitted models. Finally, I will apply the most promising approaches to a series of case studies with real-world demographic data. Along the way, I will build educational resources in both English and Spanish, to support a skilled scientific workforce. With DensPopDy, I will tip the scales so that the costs of building density-dependent models are outweighed by the benefits of improved analytical and comparative insights. This work will bring important benefits to the fields of population ecology, life history evolution, and conservation biology by improving our ability to understand and predict population dynamics. The proposed research would demonstrate my maturation as a scientist, combining my theoretical and mathematical population ecology skills with my background in marine field ecology.