Conservation of ground-breeding birds on the island Borkum by predator control - a study on habitat use and population size of feral cats
Abstract
Till the 1990s most of the East Frisian Islands were important breeding areas for the Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) and other ground-breeding bird species. In the last 20 years the reproduction success of those species declined to 0.0 to 0.2 fledlings per breeding pair/year. Only in a few cases slightly higher reproduction rates were recorded. Therefore the actual breeding success is too low to guarantee stable populations. Essential factors which are meant to influence the breeding success negatively are different mammal predators. In case of the East Frisian Islands it is assumed feral cats (Felis silvestris catus) have a distinctive impact on the breeding success. Beside approximately 200 domestic cats on Borkum it is estimated that 100 feral cats actually live on the island. However these estimations are not validated. Additionally, free ranging domestic cats can cause a negative impact on the reproduction success of ground-breeding bird species by preying the offspring.To gain information on behavior, home range, preferred habitats and hunting grounds of feral and free ranging domestic cats on Borkum the main study was split up into two independent sub-studies: 1. Population level: Verification, estimation of abundance and habitat use of feral cats via camera traps. 2. Individual level: Research on habitat use, activity patterns and home ranges of free ranging domestic cats via GPS-collars. The aim of the study is to present information to the national park management which could be used as a basic concept for optimizing the predator management.
keywords waders Predator-prey relationships invasive species
Publikationen
Project staff
Klaus Hackländer
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Biol. Dr.rer.nat. Klaus Hackländer
klaus.hacklaender@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-83211
Project Leader
01.07.2012 - 30.06.2013
BOKU partners
External partners
Nationalpark administration Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer
none
partner