American mink invasion and conservation : testing and applying predator-prey ecological theory

Ziel

The aim of this project is to first test, and then apply aspects of ecological theory pertaining to predator-prey metapopulation dynamics and to the interactions between alternative preys and predators, to an acute conservation issue. Impact of predation on aprey species can be enhanced by the presence of an alternative prey species if it sustains an increased predator density. Thus, predation may result in a negative association between the distributions of two prey species. The project will determine whether the spatial scale of impact of an invading alien predator, the American mink, over one of Britain's most endangered mammal, the water vole, can be predicted from the spatial distribution of alternative prey, including the European rabbit, itself an introduced species in Britain. We will test the impact of two factors potentially influencing the scale of mink activities in the upland areas of Scotland and hence their effects on the viability of water vole metapopulations : the availability of alternative prey (primarily European rabbits) and the density of conspecifics (reflecting prevailing mink control strategies and time since first invasion) . Analysis of trapping and GIS data, DNA microsatellites and GPS-radiocollars in areas with contrasting alternative prey density and patchiness will be combined to obtain the necessary demographic parameters. The findings will then be incorporated into spatially explicit predator-prey models and eventually management. Building on his extensive training with behavioral issues, the candidate will receive training on researching the impact of dispersal strategies on the outcome of predator-prey interactions .This will involve training in predator-prey theory, community dynamics, analysis of capture-recapture data with advanced statistics, building and parameterization of spatially explicit metapopulation models incorporating empirically derived relationships and ecological interpretation of DNA microsatellite data for estimating dispersal , an area in which the host group has a unique expertise. The applicant will gain the necessary skills to apply state-of-the-art population dynamics tools to ecological issues, such as impact of alien species on European fauna. The host will benefit from the contribution of a highly motivated researcher with proven track record in tackling behavioral issues to explore the impact of variation in predator behavior on the dynamics of well understood prey populations.

Wissenschaftliches Gebiet

Programm/Programme

FP5-HUMAN POTENTIAL - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Improving the human research potential and the socio-economic knowledge base" (1998-2002)

Thema/Themen

Data not available

Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung

Data not available

Finanzierungsplan

RGI - Research grants (individual fellowships)

Koordinator

University of Aberdeen

EU-Beitrag

Keine Daten

Adresse

2 Tillydrone Avenue
AB9 2TN Aberdeen
Vereinigtes Königreich

Gesamtkosten