Lead Institution(s): University of Saskatchewan
Project Lead: Jean-Michel De Vink
Collaborator(s): Stuard Slattery (DUC), Bob Clark (CWS), Mark Wayland (CWS)
Focal Species: White-winged Scoter (Melanitta delgandi)
Project Description: Based on breeding waterfowl surveys, Lesser Scaup (LESC) and White-winged scoters (WWSC) have both declined throughout the northern boreal forest with highly correlated population trends. Given the similar population fluctuations, it is plausible both taxa share common causes of decline. One of the hypotheses proposed for the decline of LESC is that increasing contaminants, particularly Selenium (Se), are affecting breeding populations, and so this project evaluates aspects of Se dynamics in both species. Specifically, we are evaluating the hypothesis that females with high body burdens do not deposit Se into eggs due to their reliance on exogenous nutrients for egg production. Objectives include: 1) Measure Se concentrations in various WWSC and LESC tissues; 2) Determine the liver:egg Se relationship in WWSC and LESC and compare these relationship to those reported for other avian species; 3) Determine if the liver:egg Se ratio fits with our model based on the estimated reproductive energetic strategy and the Se concentrations from endogenous and dietary sources; and 4) Determine on a large scale using stable-isotopes (wintering grounds vs. breeding grounds) where Se is being acquired.
SDJV47 Interim Report FY04
SDJV47 Final Report FY05
Related Publications
DeVink, J.-M. A., R. G. Clark, S. M. Slattery, and M. Wayland. 2008. Is selenium affecting body condition and reproduction in boreal breeding scaup, scoters, and ring-necked ducks? Environmental Pollution 152:116–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2007.05.003
DeVink, J.-M. A., R. G. Clark, S. M. Slattery, and A. M. Scheuhammer. 2008. Cross-Seasonal Association Between Winter Trophic Status and Breeding Ground Selenium Levels in Boreal White-Winged Scoters. Avian Conservation and Ecology 3:art3. http://www.ace-eco.org/vol3/iss1/art3/
DeVink, J.-M. 2007. Comparative Reproductive Energetics and Selenium Ecotoxicology in Three Boreal- breeding Waterfowl Species. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Saskatchewan. https://harvest.usask.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/de9ba139-6baf-4077-b230-6a36e64aae2c/content
