Cel This project will characterise saiga reproductive behaviour and the influence of human disturbance on reproductive success, and develop a non-invasive, scientifically based programme for monitoring fecundity. Field studies of individual behaviour during the rutting and birth periods will enable us to develop a model of saiga behaviour, and understand the complex interactions between human disturbance and reproductive success. We will carry out the study in two populations; one that appears to reproducing normally despite heavy hunting (Ustiurt) and the other that is displaying aberrant reproductive behaviour (Kalmykia).We will also develop and test a non-invasive method for determining the pregnancy status of individual females, based on hormone levels in faecal samples. Pregnancy rate is a key factor in population dynamics, but so far has only been measured by killing heavily pregnant females, an unacceptable practice given the current conservation status of the species. Testing will be carried out first in controlled conditions using captive saigas. Having demonstrated the potential of the method we will then test it for feasibility in the field. This direct measure of fecundity will be compared to field data on population age structure collected at different points in the year, which can act as an indirect measure of fecundity. This comparison will enable us to evaluate the accuracy and feasibility of different fecundity measures and hence recommend a scientifically based monitoring programme.The project meets the objectives of INTAS by carrying out original scientific research in the fields of ecology and nature conservation, that is of direct and urgent policy relevance for the three NIS countries concerned. The research will aim to meet the highest academic standards, and hence to be of wide interest to the international academic community in the fields of behavioural ecology and conservation. The project will have broad relevance beyond saiga antelopes, to policies for the conservation of hunted species in general. Program(-y) IC-INTAS - International Association for the promotion of cooperation with scientists from the independent states of the former Soviet Union (INTAS), 1993- Temat(-y) OPEN - OPEN Call Zaproszenie do składania wniosków Data not available System finansowania Data not available Koordynator University of London Imperial College London Wkład UE Brak danych Adres Exhibition Road SW7 2AZ London Zjednoczone Królestwo Zobacz na mapie Linki Strona internetowa Opens in new window Koszt całkowity Brak danych Uczestnicy (6) Sortuj alfabetycznie Sortuj według wkładu UE Rozwiń wszystko Zwiń wszystko Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan Institute of Zoology Uzbekistan Wkład UE Brak danych Adres Niyasov str. 1 700095 Tashkent Zobacz na mapie Koszt całkowity Brak danych Center for Study and Conservation of Wild Animals in Kalmykia Rosja Wkład UE Brak danych Adres 273 Lenina Street 358000 Elista Zobacz na mapie Koszt całkowity Brak danych Kazakh National Agricultural University Kazachstan Wkład UE Brak danych Adres 8, Abai Avenue 480100 Almaty Zobacz na mapie Koszt całkowity Brak danych Ministry of Education Institute of Zoology Kazachstan Wkład UE Brak danych Adres 93, Al-Farabi Avenue 480060 Almaty Zobacz na mapie Koszt całkowity Brak danych Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Ecology and Evolution Rosja Wkład UE Brak danych Adres 33 Leninskiy prospect 117071 Moscow Zobacz na mapie Koszt całkowity Brak danych University of Oslo Norwegia Wkład UE Brak danych Adres P.O. Box 1050 Blindern N-0316 Oslo Zobacz na mapie Koszt całkowity Brak danych
