Dissertation Research: Avian Nest Predation by Raccoons: Linking Raccoon Foraging Ecology to Patterns of Predation

论文研究：浣熊对鸟巢的捕食：将浣熊觅食生态与捕食模式联系起来

• 批准号: 9520575
• 负责人: Joel Brown
• 金额: $ 0.6万
• 依托单位: University of Illinois at Chicago
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1995
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1995-08-15 至 1997-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9520575&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Dissertation; Research; Avian; Nest; Predation

9520575 Brown Nest predation has long been recognized as the cause of the majority of failed avian nesting attempts. Because of its impact on reproductive success, nest predation has been hypothesized to structure avian communities and contribute to suspected population declines of many species. This research uses and extends the methodology of foraging theory and the framework of predator-prey interactions to investigate the foraging ecology of a dominant mammalian nest predator, the raccoon. The research links the foraging behavior of raccoons to the direct impact of nest predation, and indirect interactions among nesting birds. Specific objectives include: 1)quantifying the impact of nest predation on three woodland bird species, 2) determining the indirect interactions mediated by shared predation, and 3) investigating the habitat associated risks of foraging in raccoons and the consequence for nesting birds. This research will enhance our basic understanding of the direct and indirect impact of nest predation on bird populations, as well as the role of nest predation in structuring avian communities. Results will also be applicable to issues related to ecosystem management and conservation of biodiversity. These may be especially important given the recent decline in the population sizes of many bird species.

9520575 棕巢捕食长期以来一直被认为是大多数鸟类筑巢失败的原因。 由于巢穴捕食对繁殖成功率的影响，人们推测巢穴捕食会构建鸟类群落，并可能导致许多物种的种群数量下降。 这项研究使用并扩展了觅食理论的方法论和捕食者与猎物相互作用的框架，以研究主要哺乳动物巢捕食者浣熊的觅食生态。 该研究将浣熊的觅食行为与巢穴捕食的直接影响以及筑巢鸟类之间的间接相互作用联系起来。 具体目标包括：1）量化巢穴捕食对三种林地鸟类的影响，2）确定共同捕食介导的间接相互作用，3）调查浣熊觅食的栖息地相关风险以及筑巢鸟类的后果。 这项研究将增强我们对巢穴捕食对鸟类种群的直接和间接影响，以及巢穴捕食在构建鸟类群落中的作用的基本了解。 结果也将适用于与生态系统管理和生物多样性保护有关的问题。 鉴于最近许多鸟类种群规模的下降，这些可能尤其重要。