Forest associations of the southern Cariboo Zone
British Columbia. Syesis 7:201-233.
British Columbia. Syesis 7:201-233.
Understanding the ecological and evolutionary forces which influence the abundance and diversity of biological resources is important for effective management and conservation. In the absence of important ecological data on movements and breeding ecology, molecular genetic markers can provide critical empirical sources of data. Results from studies of the threatened spectacled eider (Somateria fischeri) are described based on molecular markers with different patterns of inheritance.
In response to the dramatic decline of the species (early 1970's to 1990's) on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, I conducted a nesting ecology study on spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) at Kigigak Island from 1992-1996. The Kigigak Island population has had relatively high nest success between 1992-1996 (92%, 63%, 70%, 64%, and 82%, respectively). More than 50% of the nesting females have been marked (n=161). Preliminary results show that 70% of the marked females have returned to nest at least once following their banding year and that 52% returned at least two consecutive years.
Spectacled Eider (Somateria fischeri) populations in western Alaska have declined precipitously since the late 1970's. Subsequently, the species was listed as threatened in 1993. To investigate the potential causes of the decline, we developed a deterministic model of Spectacled Eider population dynamics based on demographic data we collected on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, from 1991-1996. The model incorporated estimates of nest success, clutch size at hatch, duckling survival, age of first reproduction, and adult female survival collected at a two locations.
In 1995 we conducted a pilot study of brood ecology of the Common Eider Somateria mollissima with specific reference to movements, habitat use and behaviour of both adult females and ducklings on the Wolves Archipelago in the Bay of Fundy. Information generated from this colony, particularly recruitment, over the next 3 years was to be used in conjunction with information collected from other breeding colonies to develop a model of the role of post-hatch ecology in the demographics of Common Eiders in the Bay of Fundy.
Behaviour 60:221-236.
U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull.130. Washinton D.C. 396pp.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA)
The Atlantic Seaduck Project is being conducted to learn more about the breeding and molting areas of seaducks in northern Canada and more about the feeding ecology of seaducks on wintering areas, especially Chesapeake Bay. Satellite telemetry is being used to track surf scoters wintering in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, and black scoters on migrational staging areas in New Brunswick, Canada, to breeding and molting areas in northern Canada.