A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Landscape-scale gradients and temporal changes in the prey species of the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
Authors: Ekblad CMS, Sulkava S, Stjernberg TG, Laaksonen TK
Publisher: FINNISH ZOOLOGICAL BOTANICAL PUBLISHING BOARD
Publication year: 2016
Journal: Annales Zoologici Fennici
Journal name in source: ANNALES ZOOLOGICI FENNICI
Journal acronym: ANN ZOOL FENN
Volume: 53
Issue: 3-4
First page : 228
Last page: 240
Number of pages: 13
ISSN: 0003-455X
eISSN: 1797-2450
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5735/086.053.0401
Web address : http://www.annzool.net/PDF/anz53-free/anzf53-228-240-Ekblad-free.pdf
Abstract
The return of apex predators re-shape population densities of their prey species, creating conflicts and challenges for the conservation and management of both predator and prey populations. The population of white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in the Baltic Sea has grown rapidly since the 1980s after a previous population collapse, causing growing predation pressure on its prey species. However, little is known about variation in the prey use in the landscape or changes in time. We provide detailed information about the diet of the white-tailed eagle along landscape-scaled gradients and about temporal changes in their diet over 25 years. We used an extensive data set with 7700 identified prey remains collected during the breeding season on the land Islands (Finland) 1985-2010. The results support the view of the white-tailed eagle as an opportunistic hunter, preying on the most available prey and switching to other prey when the availability changes
The return of apex predators re-shape population densities of their prey species, creating conflicts and challenges for the conservation and management of both predator and prey populations. The population of white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in the Baltic Sea has grown rapidly since the 1980s after a previous population collapse, causing growing predation pressure on its prey species. However, little is known about variation in the prey use in the landscape or changes in time. We provide detailed information about the diet of the white-tailed eagle along landscape-scaled gradients and about temporal changes in their diet over 25 years. We used an extensive data set with 7700 identified prey remains collected during the breeding season on the land Islands (Finland) 1985-2010. The results support the view of the white-tailed eagle as an opportunistic hunter, preying on the most available prey and switching to other prey when the availability changes
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