Abstract
Demographic correlations are pervasive in wildlife populations and can
represent important secondary drivers of population growth. Empirical
evidence suggests that correlations are in general positive for
long-lived species, however little is known about the degree of
variation among populations in relation to local conditions. For three
widely geographically separated Atlantic puffin populations
(Fratercula arctica), we compared the relative importance of
survival-reproduction correlations for two cross-season correlations,
reflecting either effects of non-breeding season or breeding season
conditions. Demographic rates and their correlations were estimated with
an integrated population model, and their respective contributions to
variation in population growth were calculated using a transient-LTRE.
Demographic correlations were positive for all three populations, but
their strength differed. By comparing three populations with
geographically distinct foraging areas throughout the year, this study
shows that demographic correlations are, in part, driven by
environmental conditions, which impacts their population viability and
vulnerability to environmental change.