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Published on: March 12, 2013
Predator behaviour and predation risk in the heterogeneous Arctic environment
Nicolas Lecomte1, Vincent Careau, Gilles Gauthier
1Département de Biologie and Centre d'Etudes Nordiques, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1K 7P4, Canada. nicolas.lecomte@ib.uit.no
The Journal of Animal Ecology
|February 6, 2008
Summary
Arctic habitat structure impacts predator-prey dynamics. Wetlands reduce fox predation on snow goose eggs, while lemming cycles influence nesting success, highlighting complex ecological interactions.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Wildlife Biology
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Predator-prey interactions are influenced by habitat heterogeneity and predator behavior, yet these factors are often studied in isolation.
- Arctic ecosystems feature diverse habitats, such as wetlands and mesic tundra, presenting unique challenges and opportunities for predators and prey.
- Greater snow geese (Anser caerulescens atlanticus) face predation from arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) and avian predators during nesting in these varied Arctic environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how habitat structural complexity (wetlands vs. mesic tundra) affects predation risk for greater snow goose eggs by arctic foxes and avian predators.
- To determine the influence of fluctuating lemming populations on the interaction between habitat structure and fox predation on goose eggs.
- To assess the differential hunting success and behavior of foxes and avian predators in relation to habitat type.
Main Methods:
- Experimental approach using artificial nests to compare predator detection rates in different habitats.
- Direct observation and time-budget analysis of arctic fox foraging behavior on real goose nests in wetlands and mesic tundra.
- Monitoring of nesting success in relation to habitat type and lemming population cycles.
Main Results:
- Arctic foxes exhibited reduced hunting efficiency and success in structurally complex wetlands compared to open mesic tundra.
- Avian predators showed no significant difference in predation success between habitats.
- Nesting success was higher in wetlands, with this difference becoming more pronounced during lemming population declines, indicating indirect effects of prey availability on predator-prey dynamics.
Conclusions:
- Wetland structural complexity significantly reduces predation risk for goose eggs from arctic foxes, but not from avian predators.
- Cyclic lemming populations indirectly influence the spatial distribution of successful goose nests through interactions with fox foraging behavior and habitat structure.
- Habitat heterogeneity plays a critical role in mediating predator-prey interactions in Arctic ecosystems, with implications for conservation and management strategies.
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