A Picky Predator and Its Prey: How Snow Conditions and Ptarmigan Abundance Impact Gyrfalcon Feeding Behaviour and Breeding Success DOI Creative Commons
Annabel Slettenhaar, Jan Eivind Østnes, Børje Cato Moen

и другие.

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(4)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Species interactions can be altered by climate change but also mediate its effects. The gyrfalcon ( Falco rusticolus ) and the ptarmigan Lagopus spp.) form a predator–prey couple that reflects dynamics of boreal, tundra, alpine ecosystems. To determine how may impact food web, we investigated abundance local weather diet feeding behaviour, nest occupancy, reproductive success. Using wildlife cameras, monitored nests throughout nestling period to collect data on behaviour. We quantified gyrfalcon's functional response describing kill rates relate density. Additionally, numerical demographic aggregative success respectively, were related density, using from large‐scale monitoring projects. Ptarmigan dominant prey species, representing 98% diet. proportion in breeding increased springs with more snow, decreased snow during period. Gyrfalcon was positively occupancy rate not These results indicate effect is straightforward, investigating (a)biotic factors both predator relevant predicting will respond change. Following current predictions, spring occur earlier, which food‐web structure through availability diversity other species. This requires adaptations gyrfalcons predators. emphasise predators species accurately evaluated multi‐species level rather than individually.

Язык: Английский

A Picky Predator and Its Prey: How Snow Conditions and Ptarmigan Abundance Impact Gyrfalcon Feeding Behaviour and Breeding Success DOI Creative Commons
Annabel Slettenhaar, Jan Eivind Østnes, Børje Cato Moen

и другие.

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(4)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Species interactions can be altered by climate change but also mediate its effects. The gyrfalcon ( Falco rusticolus ) and the ptarmigan Lagopus spp.) form a predator–prey couple that reflects dynamics of boreal, tundra, alpine ecosystems. To determine how may impact food web, we investigated abundance local weather diet feeding behaviour, nest occupancy, reproductive success. Using wildlife cameras, monitored nests throughout nestling period to collect data on behaviour. We quantified gyrfalcon's functional response describing kill rates relate density. Additionally, numerical demographic aggregative success respectively, were related density, using from large‐scale monitoring projects. Ptarmigan dominant prey species, representing 98% diet. proportion in breeding increased springs with more snow, decreased snow during period. Gyrfalcon was positively occupancy rate not These results indicate effect is straightforward, investigating (a)biotic factors both predator relevant predicting will respond change. Following current predictions, spring occur earlier, which food‐web structure through availability diversity other species. This requires adaptations gyrfalcons predators. emphasise predators species accurately evaluated multi‐species level rather than individually.

Язык: Английский

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