Habitat Fragmentation, Nest Site Selection, and Nest Predation Risk in Capercaillie

Storch, Ilse

doi:10.2307/3676592

Cited by 63 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 18 publications

(15 reference statements)

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“…Artificial nests on track boards were used to obtain spatial replication and controlled stratification which would not have been possible using natural nests. This type of study design yields information about spatial and temporal prevalence of egg-consuming predators, thus indicating relative predation-risk patterns for ground-nesting birds (Angelstam 1986;Storch 1991;Villard and Pärt 2004;Manzer and Hannon 2005;McKinnon et al 2010). In each of the three study areas, we placed 12 transects (total of 36 transects) with three track boards (i.e.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nest-predator prevalence along a mountain birch - alpine tundra ecotone

Pedersen

Asmyhr²,

Pedersen³

et al. 2011

Wildl. Res.

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Context. Nest predation is a major factor influencing life history and population dynamics of ground-nesting birds. The transitions between the northern boreal mountain birch forests and the low-alpine tundra are important habitats for the willow ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus (Linnaeus, 1758). During the past decades, these landscapes have been extensively developed with cabin resorts in southern Norway, which has led to an increased number of roads and foot paths in relatively undisturbed habitats. Aims. The aim of the present study was to investigate relative nest-predation rates in elevation gradients (ecotones) spanning from northern boreal mountain birch forests to low-alpine tundra in three locations with contrasting willow ptarmigan densities. Methods. We conducted an artificial nest study by using baited track boards (n = 108). Track boards were placed along transects (200 m) in the following three habitat types: birch forest, edge habitat and low-alpine tundra. Predator prevalence was analysed in relation to studydesign variables (location, habitat, study period) and the load of human infrastructure (i.e. distance to foot paths and roads), using generalised linear mixed-effect models assuming binomial distribution for the response variable. Key results. Prevalence of avian predators was consistently high (range 38.2-85.3%), in contrast to much lower prevalence of mammalian predators (range 2.8-22.9%). Raven (Corvus corax) was the dominant nest predator, followed by hooded crow (C. cornix) and pine marten (Martes martes). Location, as contrasted by differences in willow ptarmigan density, was not significantly related to total relative predation rates. Species-specific predator prevalence was habitat specific and related to human infrastructure, but with opposite relative predation patterns between pine marten and raven. Hooded crow predation was similar across the ecotone and not related to human infrastructure. Conclusions. Predator prevalence was habitat specific and affected by human infrastructure (distance to human foot paths). Our study confirmed that human activity might alter the predation rates by generalist species in these low-alpine environments. Implications. We recommend that attractive willow ptarmigan habitat should be avoided when planning human infrastructure in alpine ecosystems. To reduce predation pressure in this ecosystem, it appears that generalist predators should be considered for management actions. Further research is needed to explain the underlying mechanism driving expansion of generalist species into alpine habitats. Such knowledge is also important in developing alternative management actions with focus other than predator control.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nest-predator prevalence along a mountain birch - alpine tundra ecotone

Pedersen

Asmyhr²,

Pedersen³

et al. 2011

Wildl. Res.

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“…On Teisenberg, capercaillie nests are typically placed at the edge between old forest and clearcuts where there is particularly good ground cover. An experiment with dummy nests showed that these may be the habitats with the lowest risk of nest predation (Storch, 1991). Records from Russia also show that capercaillie prefer to nest in edge habitats (Semenov-Tjan-Sanskij, 1960, cited in Klaus et al, 1986.…”

Section: Nesting Habitatmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As chicks grow older, vegetative matter, and especially bilberry-the preferred food of adults-gains importance in the diet (SpidsO & Stuen, 1988;Storch et al, 1991). Bilberry supports higher arthropod densities than grass (Kastdalen & Wegge, 1985;Stuen & Spidsti, 1988;Biedermann, 1992) and thus provides both optimal plant and animal food for chicks.…”

Section: Habitat and Range Use By Broodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The climate is moist and temperate with mean annual temperatures of 5°C and precipitation of 1800 mm. July is the wannest month (14.5°C), and June and July the wettest -1991. The main tree species was Norway spruce Picea abies (70%) mixed with fir Abies alba (10%) and beech Fagus sylvatica (15%).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Analysis of nest site selection was based on 14 radiotagged hens, plus four nests found by chance during habitat mapping (Storch, 1991). Nest sites were described by successional stage, stand size (<10 ha, 10-20 ha, >20 ha), and by the distance of the nest from an edge (0-25 m, 25-75 m, >75 m).…”

Section: Habitat Usementioning

confidence: 99%

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Habitat and survival of capercaillie Tetrao urogallus nests and broods in the Bavarian alps

Storch

1994

Biological Conservation

Self Cite

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Environmental and seasonal correlates of capercaillie movement traits in a Swedish wind farm

Kämmerle

Taubmann

Andrén

et al. 2021

Ecology and Evolution

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Animals continuously interact with their environment through behavioral decisions, rendering the appropriate choice of movement speed and directionality an important phenotypic trait. Anthropogenic activities may alter animal behavior, including movement. A detailed understanding of movement decisions is therefore of great relevance for science and conservation alike. The study of movement decisions in relation to environmental and seasonal cues requires continuous observation of movement behavior, recently made possible by high‐resolution telemetry. We studied movement traits of 13 capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), a mainly ground‐moving forest bird species of conservation interest, over two summer seasons in a Swedish windfarm using high‐resolution GPS tracking data (5‐min sampling interval). We filtered and removed unreliable movement steps using accelerometer data and step characteristics. We explored variation in movement speed and directionality in relation to environmental and seasonal covariates using generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs). We found evidence for clear daily and seasonal variation in speed and directionality of movement that reflected behavioral adjustments to biological and environmental seasonality. Capercaillie moved slower when more turbines were visible and faster close to turbine access roads. Movement speed and directionality were highest on open bogs, lowest on recent clear‐cuts (<5 y.o.), and intermediate in all types of forest. Our results provide novel insights into the seasonal and environmental correlates of capercaillie movement patterns and supplement previous behavioral observations on lekking behavior and wind turbine avoidance with a more mechanistic understanding.

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Habitat Fragmentation, Nest Site Selection, and Nest Predation Risk in Capercaillie

Cited by 63 publications

References 18 publications

Nest-predator prevalence along a mountain birch - alpine tundra ecotone

Nest-predator prevalence along a mountain birch - alpine tundra ecotone

Habitat and survival of capercaillie Tetrao urogallus nests and broods in the Bavarian alps

Environmental and seasonal correlates of capercaillie movement traits in a Swedish wind farm

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