Jesenko, Rok (2022) Habitat and space use of common buzzards near and in windfarms. Bachelor's Research Project (period 2b), Biology.
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Abstract
Oftentimes, predators prefer habitats with higher prey availability, which in return increases their fitness. Prey habitat selection was reported in many animals, among which are also raptor birds. In our study, we were interested if the abundance of common vole (Microtus arvalis) determines the habitat preference of Common buzzards (Buteo buteo). Voles are a big part of buzzard's diet so we hypothesized that buzzards will more frequently select habitats with higher Common vole abundance. With an attached GPS tracker we identified home ranges of 6 buzzards, that were inhabiting farmed habitats ( winter wheat fields, empty fields, grasslands, grasslands with cattle) and non-farmed habitats (road-verges). Within each habitat of each home range, we estimated a vole abundance and compared it with Ivlev's electivity index which indicated if a bird was selecting or avoiding certain habitats within its home range. Derived results were in favor of our hypothesis. Voles were the most abundant in grasslands and road verges and these are also the habitats buzzards in general selected for. Further research will be directed towards the importance of perching sites for habitat selection and the applicability of the alternative prey hypothesis. However, current conclusions are relevant for further implications in conservation efforts.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor's Research Project (period 2b)) |
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| Supervisor name: | Klaassen, R.H.G. and Schaub, T.W. |
| Degree programme: | Biology |
| Thesis type: | Bachelor's Research Project (period 2b) |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 28 Jun 2022 14:10 |
| Last Modified: | 28 Jun 2022 14:10 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/27431 |
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