Fluctuations in field vole abundance indirectly influence red grouse productivity via a shared predator guild

Ludwig, Sonja C.; Roos, Staffan; Baines, David

doi:10.2981/wlb.00642

Cited by 4 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…However, rabbits were the only prey species for which the abundance of which varied significantly among study sites and the inclusion of site in the model, in order to control for other potential sources of between‐site variation, may have made this relationship difficult to discern. Like others (Francksen et al, 2017; Ludwig et al, 2020), we observed that, although buzzards provisioned field voles in relation to their abundance, voles did not influence breeding success. Despite voles being the most frequently provisioned prey by number, it is likely that estimates of provisioning (both rate and biomass per hour) used in this study are underestimates, as smaller prey items, like small mammals, tend to be eaten more quickly and so are more difficult to identify on cameras (García‐Salgado et al, 2015; Swan, Bearhop, et al, 2020; Table 1).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

“…The identification of relationships between gamebird releases and predator abundances represents an important advance. However, the ecological mechanisms that might underlie these relationships have not been explored to the same extent (Ludwig et al, 2020). In the meantime, restrictions upon gamebird releases were suggested by Pringle et al (2019) as a potential conservation tool for wild bird populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Associations between abundances of free‐roaming gamebirds and common buzzards Buteo buteo are not driven by consumption of gamebirds in the buzzard breeding season

Swan

Bearhop

Redpath

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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Releasing gamebirds in large numbers for sport shooting may directly or indirectly influence the abundance, distribution and population dynamics of native wildlife. The abundances of generalist predators have been positively associated with the abundance of gamebirds. These relationships have implications for prey populations, with the potential for indirect impacts of gamebird releases on wider biodiversity. To understand the basis of these associations, we investigated variation in territory size, prey provisioning to chicks, and breeding success of common buzzards Buteo buteo, and associations with variation in the abundances of free‐roaming gamebirds, primarily pheasants Phasianus colchicus, and of rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus and field voles Microtus agrestis, as important prey for buzzards. The relative abundance of gamebirds, but not those of rabbits or voles, was weakly but positively correlated with our index of buzzard territory size. Gamebirds were rarely brought to the nest. Rabbits and voles, and not gamebirds, were provisioned to chicks in proportion to their relative abundance. The number of buzzard chicks increased with provisioning rates of rabbits, in terms of both provisioning frequency and biomass, but not with provisioning rates for gamebirds or voles. Associations between the abundances of buzzards and gamebirds may not be a consequence of the greater availability of gamebirds as prey during the buzzard breeding season. Instead, the association may arise either from habitat or predator management leading to higher densities of alternative prey (in this instance, rabbits), or from greater availability of gamebirds as prey or carrion during the autumn and winter shooting season. The interactions between gamebird releases and associated practices of predator control and shooting itself require better understanding to more effectively intervene in any one aspect of this complex social‐ecological system.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Associations between abundances of free‐roaming gamebirds and common buzzards Buteo buteo are not driven by consumption of gamebirds in the buzzard breeding season

Swan

Bearhop

Redpath

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Several studies have found a relationship between the increased abundance of a predator's preferred prey (e.g. voles) and reduced predation on grouse species (Marcstrom et al 1988;Breisjøberget et al 2018;Ludwig, Roos & Baines, 2020). Although the high availability of carrion could play this role in our study areas (Peers et al 2020), the temporary nature of the pulse in ungulate carrion availability due to winter mortality and the hunting season means that carrion availability suddenly decreases in spring, just when the capercaillie breeding season begins (March-April).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…1988; Breisjøberget et al . 2018; Ludwig, Roos & Baines, 2020). Although the high availability of carrion could play this role in our study areas (Peers et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scavenging patterns of generalist predators in forested areas: The potential implications of increase in carrion availability on a threatened capercaillie population

Tobajas

Oliva‐Vidal

Piqué³

et al. 2021

Animal Conservation

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The increases in ungulate populations and hunting bags throughout Europe and North America have resulted in higher carcass numbers available for mesocarnivore species in temperate and boreal forests. The increase in food resources can sustain denser predator populations, potentially affecting prey species such as the threatened western capercaillie Tetrao urogallus. We investigated the ungulate population trends in recent decades and the carrion use by facultative scavengers in areas of the Pyrenees occupied by capercaillie to assess the potential effects on predation of nests and adult birds, and on its population trend. We found a significant increase in the number of ungulates harvested during the period of sharp capercaillie population decline. Carrion was provided experimentally in forested areas occupied by capercaillie showing that remains were mainly consumed by red fox Vulpes vulpes, followed by wild boar Sus scrofa and marten species (Martes sp.). Season (cold or warm) was the most important factor determining scavenging activity in most species. Main predators of capercaillie nests and adults were martens and red fox, with no predation by wild boar. Our data show that main predators of capercaillie are the same species that mainly consume carrion, especially in winter, and that plentiful carrion resources could maintain higher populations of these species, potentially increasing predation pressure on the capercaillie population. This study shows that managing carrion arising from hunting activity in areas of capercaillie distribution is a necessary management action to reduce the available carrion biomass and so reduce the impact of mesocarnivores on capercaillie conservation.

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Retrospective comparisons of competing demographic models give clarity from “messy” management on a Scottish grouse moor

Powell

Aebischer

Ludwig

et al. 2022

Ecological Applications

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Retrospective comparison of predictive models that describe competing hypotheses regarding system function can shed light on regulatory mechanisms within the framework of adaptive resource management. We applied this approach to a 28-year study of red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scotica) in Scotland, with the aims of reducing uncertainty regarding important drivers of grouse population dynamics, and of evaluating the efficacy of using seasonal versus annual model assessments. We developed three sets of models that predicted pre-breeding and post-breeding grouse density, matching the timing of grouse counts on the ground. We updated conditions and management through time in the spirit of a real-time, adaptive management program and used a Bayesian model weight updating process to compare model predictions with empirical grouse densities. The first two model sets involved single annual updates from either pre-breeding or post-breeding counts; the third set was updated twice a year. Each model set comprised seven models representing increasingly complex hypotheses regarding potentially important drivers of grouse: the baseline model included weather and parasite effects on productivity, shooting losses and density-dependent overwinter survival; subsequent models incorporated the effect of habitat gain/loss (HAB), control of non-protected predators (NPP) and predation by protected hen harriers (Circus cyaneus, HH) and buzzards (Buteo buteo, BZ). The weight of evidence was consistent across model sets, settling within 10 years on the harrier (NPP + HH), buzzard (NPP + HH + BZ) and buzzard + habitat (NPP + HH + BZ + HAB) models, and downgrading the baseline + habitat, non-protected predator, and non-protected predator + habitat models. By the end of the study only the buzzard and buzzard + habitat models retained substantial weights, emphasizing the dynamical complexity of the system. Habitat inclusion failed to improve model predictions, implying that over the period of this study habitat quantity was unimportant in determining grouse abundance. Comparing annually and

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Fluctuations in field vole abundance indirectly influence red grouse productivity via a shared predator guild

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 4 publications

References 58 publications

Associations between abundances of free‐roaming gamebirds and common buzzards Buteo buteo are not driven by consumption of gamebirds in the buzzard breeding season

Associations between abundances of free‐roaming gamebirds and common buzzards Buteo buteo are not driven by consumption of gamebirds in the buzzard breeding season

Scavenging patterns of generalist predators in forested areas: The potential implications of increase in carrion availability on a threatened capercaillie population

Retrospective comparisons of competing demographic models give clarity from “messy” management on a Scottish grouse moor

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