What happens to ptarmigan when marmots arrive?

Figueroa, Irene; López, Bernat Claramunt; López, Anna; Potrony, David

doi:10.1080/08927014.2009.9522480

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The future of this species will probably have great implications for the alpine food web in the Pyrenees. The presence of a so abundant prey will probably cause diet adaptations in their natural predators, and is also likely to have direct and indirect effects on competitors (Figueroa et al 2009). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Explaining the successful introduction of the alpine marmot in the Pyrenees

López

Pino

López³

2010

Biol Invasions

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Alpine marmots were introduced into the northern Pyrenees between 1948 and 1988 from individuals captured in the French Alps, in order to bolster food sources for the golden eagle and brown bear. The marmot's subsequent occupation of the southern Pyrenees has been extremely fast. From an initial population of *400 individuals, the present population in the southern Pyrenees is estimated to be of more than 10,000 individuals. The objective of this study was to assess what were the mechanisms that have enabled such a fast occupation of the territory. We studied habitat preferences and habitat selection of the alpine marmot in the southern Pyrenees both at the micro-and meso-scale, and compared our results with similar data in the bibliography on their native region. We also compared climatic data from both the native and introduction sites. Our results indicate relatively low climate (precipitation and temperature) matching between the two sites but a relatively high habitat matching. Marmots negatively select high woody cover and the presence of conifers in their home range, while they choose alpine and sub-alpine meadows close to rivers with boulders. Furthermore, the marmot population is independent of snow cover duration. We conclude that the successful establishment in the Pyrenees by the alpine marmot is explained both by the habitat-and climate-matching mechanisms. In both aspects, marmots show a generalist response. Meso-scale GIS-derived variables were non significant when analyzed together with local, microscale variables from field measurements.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Explaining the successful introduction of the alpine marmot in the Pyrenees

López

Pino

López³

2010

Biol Invasions

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“…So far, only few published data on interactions between rock ptarmigan and other grassland species exist. The evidence about alpine marmot predation on rock ptarmigan nests were reported from the Alps (Jordana et al 2006cited in Figueroa et al 2009), whereas the results from Pyrenees suggest that such interaction is only a sporadic event (Figueroa et al 2009). …”

Section: Expected Results Of Climate Change Impacts On Rock Ptarmiganmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…So far, the interactions of rock ptarmigan, corvids (Corvus sp. ), alpine marmots (Marmota marmota) and golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) were observed and analysed under different conditions or situations (Figueroa et al 2009;Storch and Leidenberger 2003;Watson and Moss 2004). In order to include predictions of such complex species interactions in changing environmental conditions or under human impact in our park's management issues will require more specific studies.…”

Section: Conclusion For Nature Conservation and Management Of Rock Pmentioning

confidence: 99%

Managing Protected Areas in Central and Eastern Europe Under Climate Change

Rannow¹,

Neubert²

2014

Advances in Global Change Research

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“…The alteration of predator population numbers may have cascading effects on other native herbivores, for example the endangered rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta (Figueroa et al. ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The successful introduction of the alpine marmot Marmota marmota in the Pyrenees, Iberian Peninsula, Western Europe

Barrio¹,

Herrero

Bueno³

et al. 2012

Mammal Review

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The introduction of non‐native species can pose environmental and economic risks, but under some conditions, introductions can serve conservation or recreational objectives. To minimize risks, introductions should be conducted following the International Union for Conservation of Nature's guidelines and should include an initial assessment and a follow‐up. In 1948, to reduce the predation pressure on Pyrenean chamois Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica by golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos, the alpine marmot Marmota marmota was introduced to the Pyrenees in Western Europe. In successive introductions, about 500 marmots were released, but the fate of the released animals and their impacts on the environment remain largely unstudied. The aim of this study was to assess the success of the introduction of the alpine marmot into the Pyrenees, 60 years after the initial release, and the potential impacts of this species on Pyrenean ecosystems. We reviewed what is known about the marmot populations introduced to the Pyrenees and other populations within their native range in the Alps, particularly in terms of population structure and dynamics, habitat use and potential environmental impacts. The alpine marmot is widely distributed and, apparently, well established in the Pyrenees. Population structure and demographic parameters are similar within and outside the historical distribution range of the species, and habitat suitability is one of the main reasons for the species' success in the Pyrenees. Few researchers have investigated the impacts of alpine marmots in the Pyrenees; thus, those impacts have to be inferred from those observed in the species' native range or in other species of marmot. Introduced alpine marmots are likely to impact on Pyrenean grasslands through grazing and burrowing, have the potential to alter Pyrenean food webs and could act as vectors of parasites and disease. Although the introduction of the alpine marmot in the Pyrenees appears to have been successful, more needs to be known about the effects of the established populations on the environment before informed management actions can be taken in the Pyrenees.

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What happens to ptarmigan when marmots arrive?

Cited by 8 publications

References 7 publications

Explaining the successful introduction of the alpine marmot in the Pyrenees

Explaining the successful introduction of the alpine marmot in the Pyrenees

Managing Protected Areas in Central and Eastern Europe Under Climate Change

The successful introduction of the alpine marmot Marmota marmota in the Pyrenees, Iberian Peninsula, Western Europe

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