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Estimating carcass persistence and scavenging bias in a human-influenced landscape in western Alaska

2010; Association of Field Ornithologists; Volume: 81; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1557-9263.2009.00262.x

1557-9263

Paul L. Flint, Ellen W. Lance, Kristine M. Sowl, Tyrone F. Donnelly,

Species Distribution and Climate Change

Journal of Field OrnithologyVolume 81, Issue 2 p. 206-214 Estimating carcass persistence and scavenging bias in a human-influenced landscape in western Alaska Estimando la persistencia de cadáveres y el sesgo en la búsqueda para los cadáveres en un paisaje influenciado por los humanos en el oeste de Alaska Paul L. Flint, Corresponding Author Paul L. Flint U. S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99508, USA Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorEllen W. Lance, Ellen W. Lance Endangered Species Branch, Anchorage Fish and Wildlife Field Office, 605 W. 4th Ave., Room G61, Anchorage, Alaska 99501, USASearch for more papers by this authorKristine M. Sowl, Kristine M. Sowl U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 127, Cold Bay, Alaska 99571, USASearch for more papers by this authorTyrone F. Donnelly, Tyrone F. Donnelly U. S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99508, USASearch for more papers by this author Paul L. Flint, Corresponding Author Paul L. Flint U. S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99508, USA Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorEllen W. Lance, Ellen W. Lance Endangered Species Branch, Anchorage Fish and Wildlife Field Office, 605 W. 4th Ave., Room G61, Anchorage, Alaska 99501, USASearch for more papers by this authorKristine M. Sowl, Kristine M. Sowl U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 127, Cold Bay, Alaska 99571, USASearch for more papers by this authorTyrone F. Donnelly, Tyrone F. Donnelly U. S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99508, USASearch for more papers by this author First published: 20 May 2010 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1557-9263.2009.00262.xCitations: 23Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstracten ABSTRACT We examined variation in persistence rates of waterfowl carcasses placed along a series of transects in tundra habitats in western Alaska. This study was designed to assess the effects of existing tower structures and was replicated with separate trials in winter, summer and fall as both the resident avian population and the suite of potential scavengers varied seasonally. Carcass persistence rates were uniformly low, with <50% of carcasses persisting for more than a day on average. Persistence rate varied by carcass age, carcass size, among transects and was lowest in the fall and highest in the summer. We found little support for models where persistence varied in relation to the presence of tower structures. We interpret this as evidence that scavengers were not habituated to searching for carcasses near these structures. Our data demonstrate that only a small fraction of bird carcasses are likely to persist between searches, and if not appropriately accounted for, scavenging bias could significantly influence bird mortality estimates. The variation that we documented suggests that persistence rates should not be extrapolated among tower locations or across time periods as the variation in carcass persistence will result in biased estimates of total bird strike mortality. RESUMENes Examinamos la variación en las tasas de persistencia de cadáveres de aves acuáticas puestos a lo largo de una serie de transectas en hábitats de la tundra en el oeste de Alaska. Este estudio fue diseñado para evaluar los efectos de torres y fue replicado mediante pruebas independientes durante el invierno, verano y el otoño mientras que hubo variaciones entre temporadas en la población de aves residentes y de carroñeros. Las tasas de persistencia fueron uniformemente bajas, con <50% de los cadáveres persistiendo para un promedio de mas de un día. La tasa de persistencia varió con la edad del cadáver, el tamaño del cadáver y la transecta, y tuvo su mínimo valor en el otoño y el mayor en el verano. Encontramos poco apoyo para los modelos en la cual la persistencia varió en relación a la presencia de las torres. Interpretamos esto como evidencia de que los carroñeros no estaban habituados para la búsqueda de cadáveres cerca de estas torres. Nuestros datos demostraron que solo una pequeña proporción de los cadáveres de las aves persisten entre búsquedas, y si no es considerado, el sesgo en la búsqueda para la carroña podría influenciar significativamente a las estimaciones de la mortalidad de las aves. La variación que documentamos sugiere que las tasas de persistencia no deberían ser extrapoladas entre las torres o a través de diferentes periodos porque la variación en la persistencia de los cadáveres resulta en estimaciones sesgadas del total de mortalidad causado por la colisión de las aves contra las torres. LITERATURE CITED Arnett, E. B., K. W. Brown, W. P. Erickson, J. K. Feidler, B. L. Hamilton, T. H. Henry, A. Jain, G. D. Johnson, J. Kerns, R. R. Koford, C. P. 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Citing Literature Volume81, Issue2June 2010Pages 206-214 ReferencesRelatedInformation