Authors: Dion, Nancy; Hobson, Keith A; Larivière, Serge

Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology, Volume 77, Number 11, November 1999 , pp. 1801-1806(6)

Publisher: NRC Research Press

Abstract:

During 1995 and 1996 we monitored natural and simulated nests of grassland songbirds following removal of duck-nest predators, primarily raccoons (Procyon lotor), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), in North Dakota, U.S.A. We were unable to detect an effect of predator removal on survival of natural (n = 153 nests) or simulated (n = 2264 nests) nests of grassland songbirds in either year. However, the assemblage of predators destroying simulated nests differed between removal and non-removal sites in 1995, when medium-sized carnivores and small mammals were the most important predators on non-removal sites, whereas ground squirrels were most important on removal sites. Our study indicates that grassland songbirds were not negatively affected, at least in the short term, by removal of duck nest predators. However, changes in the relative importance of predators on removal sites in 1995 suggest that smaller predators that were not targeted by removal efforts (i.e., ground squirrels) may have caused compensatory predation. Long-term studies are necessary to determine if the removal of duck-nest predators affects the numerical or functional response of predators at a lower trophic level, such as ground squirrels and other small mammals.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z99-152

Publication date: 1999-11-01

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• Published since 1929, this monthly journal reports on primary research contributed by respected international scientists in the broad field of zoology, including behaviour, biochemistry and physiology, developmental biology, ecology, genetics, morphology and ultrastructure, parasitology and pathology, and systematics and evolution. It also invites experts to submit review articles on topics of current interest.
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