Nest-Predation Rates in Relation to Colony Size of Black Brant
Raveling DG. 1989. Nest-Predation Rates in Relation to Colony Size of Black Brant. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 53(1):87-90
I compared data on nesting success of black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) from 4 different sized colonies on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, to investigate how predation may affect reproductive success, numbers, and distribution of these geese.. Black brant lost 55 and 85% of their nests, primarily to predators, in 2 small colonies (10-37 pairs/yr) compared to losses of 31-32% in each of 2 colonies containing thousands of individuals. Predators, especially arctic fox (Alopex lagopus), can limit numbers and distribution of nesting brant and prevent or slow increases in size of brant colonies diminished by other mortality factors such as exploitation by humans. Therefore, removal or management of arctic fox at and near small colonies of brant may assist re-establishment or expansion of depleted brant colonies.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Raveling, Dennis
- Units
- ARCN , BELA , CAKR , GAAR , KOVA , NOAT
- Keywords
- alopex lagopus, Arctic, Birds, Branta bernicla nigricans, Waterfowl