Predation on avian wildlife by domesticated and feral cats

Veldhuis, Tom (2020) Predation on avian wildlife by domesticated and feral cats. Master's Research Project 2, Ecology and Evolution.

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Abstract

Felis catus, the domestic cat, has become one of the most invasive species on the planet, with many of them becoming feral and living independent from humans. Through the help of humans, they have reached location inaccessible to them through normal means, driving multiple species to extinction in the process. With the European union’s directive to protect avian wildlife, cats need to be considered as a potential threat to these birds, as they are one of the most abundant predators in Europe. Many studies on the predation impacts of cats were unable to prove the significant effect they have on bird populations and only a few proving there is a strong effect when cat densities are high, leading the public to believe there is no threat and causing a lack of management of cat predation. Often these studies used unsuitable methods and failed to take into account the many factors influencing predation rates. Many of these studies took place in the United States, further complicating the application of any results to the European situation. Here, having analysed the methods used to measure predation by cats to I recommend using extensive field observation and population monitoring to properly asses the impact of domestic and feral cats on the protected avian wildlife in Europe.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's Research Project 2)
Supervisor name:	Klaassen, R.H.G.
Degree programme:	Ecology and Evolution
Thesis type:	Master's Research Project 2
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	28 Jul 2020 13:48
Last Modified:	28 Jul 2020 13:48
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/22904

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