Nest success and the effects of predation on marbled murrelets
Nelson SK and Hamer TE. 1995. Nest success and the effects of predation on marbled murrelets. Pages 89-97. In Ralph CJ, Hunt GL, Raphael MG, Piatt JF. Ecology and conservation of the marbled murrelet. Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Albany, CA
The 39 nesting sites in this study are located in: Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California (including Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in Redwood National and State Parks). Information gathered in the study indicates a high failure rate for marbled murrelet nests, with 72 percent failing (over 50 percent because of predation by Common Ravens, Steller's Jays, and possibly by a Great Horned Owl). The authors believe that "changes in the forested habitat, such as increased amounts of edge, are affecting murrelet productivity," (from the authors' Abstract). If study results are representative, the losses are significant; with only 1 egg per clutch, marbled murrelets may not be able to maintain their populations. Further studies on the relationship of various aspects of habitat to failures are suggested. Five tables are in the document.
- Type
- Book Chapter
- Authors
- Nelson, S; Hamer, Thomas
- Units
- GLBA , KLGO , REDW , SITK , SEAN
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Birds, Brachyramphus marmoratus, Breeding, Gulf Of Alaska, Habitat Use, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), Marine Birds, Mortality, Nesting Success, Nests & Nesting, Old-Growth Forest, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Predation, Presence (Biodiversity), Recruitment, Reproduction, Seabirds, Survival Rate, Taxa Links To References, Wildlife