Seasonal predator removal relative to hatch rate of duck nests in waterfowl production areas

摘要: The prairie pothole region (PPR) is the primary breeding ground of several species North American ducks (Bellrose 1980). Much habitat in PPR has been destroyed or degraded by intensive agriculture (e.g., Kiel et al. 1972, Bellrose 1980, Sugden and Beyersbergen 1984, Boyd 1985), resulting high predation rates on duck nests (Sargeant Raveling 1992). Because predation, hatch rate (HR) Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA's) often less than 15-20% suggested for stability populations 5 most common dabbling Cowardin 1985, Greenwood 1986, Klett 1988, 1990). Managers seek ways to reduce depredations clutches WPAs, but little information available concerning effects predator removal. We evaluated seasonal (spring early summer) removal predators from WPA's Minnesota Dakota. Our objectives were compare HR uplands with without removed determine functional aspects conducting