Data from: Density-dependent population dynamics of a high Arctic capital breeder, the barnacle goose

Density regulation of the population growth rate occurs through negative feedbacks on underlying vital rates, in response to increasing population size. Here, we examine in a capital breeder how vital rates of different life‐history stages, their elasticities and population growth rates are affected by changes in population size.
We developed an integrated population model for a local population of Svalbard barnacle geese, Branta leucopsis, using counts, reproductive data and individual‐based mark–recapture data (1990–2017) to model age class‐specific survival, reproduction and number of individuals. Based on these estimates, we quantified the changes in demographic structure and the effect of population size on age class‐specific vital rates and elasticities, as well as the population growth rate.
Count data of the number of yearlings and adults in Kongsfjorden came from two sources; from 1990 to 1996, total population size was estimated from the number of marked individuals observed, divided by the average proportion of marked geese in catches, known as a Petersen estimate (Begon, 1979). After 1996, counts of the number of yearlings and adults occurred during the moulting phase (end of July). Only counts of yearlings and adults (combined) were included since the timing of counts was often before first‐year birds fledged and pre‐fledging mortality is high (Loonen et al.,1998 ).
R-script included in the package.