Timing and Location of Acquisition of Nutrients and Energy for Clutch Formation by Black Scoters
Project Number: 70
Year Funded: 2005
Lead Institution(s): Simon Fraser University
Project Lead: Dan Esler
Collaborator(s): Paul Flint (USGS)
Location: Alaska
Focal Species: Black Scoter (Melanitta americana)
Project Description: Annual breeding pair surveys have indicated a decline in numbers of scoters in tundra habitats in Alaska; because almost all scoters in this environment are Black Scoters, this is considered to be the best indicator of trends of Pacific breeding Black Scoters in North America. As with many sea ducks, the cause or causes of this decline are not clear, spurring the need for directed research to address this issue.
Reproduction in birds requires a large investment of energy and nutrients. Energetic and nutritional requirements for reproduction may be met by increased foraging in the local environment or by using stored nutrient reserves during high demand periods. Where birds fall along the capital to income continuum reflects their particular life history strategy and attributes of their environment, and indicates when and where management actions are most effective for influencing productivity.
Reproduction in birds requires a large investment of energy and nutrients. Energetic and nutritional requirements for reproduction may be met by increased foraging in the local environment or by using stored nutrient reserves during high demand periods. Where birds fall along the capital to income continuum reflects their particular life history strategy and attributes of their environment, and indicates when and where management actions are most effective for influencing productivity.
Project Reports: https://seaduckjv.org/pdf/studies/pr70.pdf