Population dynamics of long-tailed ducks breeding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska
Arctic
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Abstract
Population estimates for long-tailed ducks in North America have declined by nearly 50% over the past 30 years. Life history and population dynamics of this species are difficult to ascertain, because the birds nest at low densities across a broad range of habitat types. Between 1991 and 2004, we collected information on productivity and survival of long-tailed ducks at three locations on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Clutch size averaged 7.1 eggs, and nesting success averaged 30%. Duckling survival to 30 days old averaged 10% but was highly variable among years, ranging from 0% to 25%. Apparent annual survival of adult females based on mark-recapture of nesting females was estimated at 74%. We combined these estimates of survival and productivity into a matrix-based population model, which predicted an annual population decline of 19%. Elasticities indicated that population growth rate (λ) was most sensitive to changes in adult female survival. Further, the relatively high sensitivity of λ to duckling survival suggests that low duckling survival may be a bottleneck to productivity in some years. These data represent the first attempt to synthesize a population model for this species. Although our analyses were hampered by the small sample sizes inherent in studying a dispersed nesting species, our model provides a basis for management actions and can be enhanced as additional data become available.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Population dynamics of long-tailed ducks breeding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska |
| Series title | Arctic |
| DOI | 10.14430/arctic131 |
| Volume | 62 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 2009 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Arctic Institute of North America |
| Contributing office(s) | Alaska Science Center Biology WTEB |
| Description | 11 p. |
| First page | 190 |
| Last page | 200 |
| Time Range Start | 1991-01-01 |
| Time Range End | 2004-12-31 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Other Geospatial | Yukon-Kuskokwin Delta |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |