University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Sebastian Url
(2014):
Analyses of Black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) faeces with infrared spectroscopic methods.
Master / Diploma Thesis - Institut für Wildbiologie und Jagdwirtschaft (IWJ),
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 35.
UB BOKU
obvsg
- Abstract:
- We investigated the diet of Black grouse (Tetrao tetrix L.) in two study areas with infrared spectroscopic methods by comparing droppings´ content with plant reference material. The study areas are located in the provinces of Salzburg and Upper Austria, Austria. In recent years the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to assess the diet, digestibility or nutrition values of ruminants. However it has never been used to analyse the diet of grouse species. Commonly used methods were direct observations of (tagged) birds and microscopical analyses of droppings so far. Both techniques are costly in terms of time. Direct observation need high numbers of individuals and a long period of time to avoid individual preferences and to see the seasonal change of food plants. The sample preparation and comparison of the microscopical approach is also highly time-consuming. The comparison is based on the morphological structure of epidermal cells, like the shape of cells, stomata or trichomes. Thus, it is nearly impossible to detect seeds. Contrary, the sample preparation for the FT-IR and the following measuring is simple and quickly done and it is also possible to measure and determine seeds. In our study, samples were measured in the mid and near infrared range. Our results showed a dominance of Larix decidua within the group of woody plants in both areas and a dominance of Calluna vulgaris and Rhododendron hirsutum in study area 1 and study area 2, respectively within the group of heather. Our findings confirm results of other studies conducted in the Alps and recommend the FT-IR spectroscopy for further large-scale analyses of the diet of Black grouse with this technique including different sampling dates.
- Beurteilende(r): Hackländer Klaus
- 1.Mitwirkender: Nopp-Mayr Ursula