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USE OF WILDLIFE MORTALITY DATA TO QUALIFY RISKS TO POPULATIONS ACROSS SPACE AND TIME
Citation:
KuhnHines, A, R Haebler, J Copeland, AND M. C. Nicholson. USE OF WILDLIFE MORTALITY DATA TO QUALIFY RISKS TO POPULATIONS ACROSS SPACE AND TIME. Presented at International Symposium of the International Association for Landscape Ecology, US Chapter, Banff, Alberta, Canada, April 4-6, 2003.
Description:
Common loon (Gavia immer) populations have declined from historic levels in New England and despite recent range-wide increases; mortality has increased in some areas. To identify and quantify the causes of disease and death in New England loons, the Wildlife Clinic at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine has maintained a morbidity and mortality database since 1988. Over 500 birds have been examined thus far resulting in what is believed to be the largest existing database cataloging morbidity and mortality for this species. In addition to data on age, gender, body condition, molt status, disease processes, contaminant tissue residues, entanglement, and trauma, information on the location and time of collection for each bird has been maintained for use in assessing environmental and disease risks to the New England common loon population. To demonstrate the value of this information for risk assessment, we are evaluating spatial and temporal dynamics in loon mortality for the region. Patterns in mortality are being quantified and should lead to a better understanding of the underlying spatial processes affecting loon mortality in New England. These analyses are essential to refine spatially explicit population models and quantify risk to this population from anthropogenic stressors in the landscape.