A study of the biology of the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), in confined populations. V. Population dynamics

Abstract

In confined areas, populations of the rabbit possess no inbuilt behavioural or physiological mechanisms capable of regulating numbers at levels below the food ceiling. Despite density-related changes in fecundity, mortality, and social stress, rabbits breed up to the limit of their food resources, and then catastrophic losses occur, due to starvation. The magnitude and frequency of oscillations in numbers are dependent upon seasonal availability of food supplies.