Density‐dependent effects on reproductive performance in a recovering population of White‐tailed Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla

摘要: Understanding the mechanisms that shape density-dependent processes and population dynamics is often essential for species conservation. Two key of reductions in reproductive performance are a limited access to foraging habitats (the habitat heterogeneity hypothesis) territorial aggression towards conspecifics interference competition at high densities. Disentangling relative importance these within populations below their carrying capacity important evaluation success conservation measures. However, relatively few studies have attempted quantify both population. Many raptor ideal model systems investigate effects because they currently recovering from human-induced during last decades. Using 14-year dataset, we combined analyses individual with mechanistic early signs regulation White-tailed Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla north-east Germany. We found negative effect number neighbouring breeding pairs positive water surface area (as proxy availability favourable habitat) on average nestlings. The mean nearest neighbour distance between has decreased, nests body increased over 14 years. Moreover, indicates even though still growing, could be reached about 500–950 pairs. These results suggest selection nesting sites determined by trade-off To avoid increasing conspecifics, due continued growth, seem select increasingly suboptimal habitats. Therefore, our hypotheses not necessarily mutually exclusive as regulation, but can determine simultaneously. Thus, future decline does reflect decrease quality may rather consequence mechanisms. This information useful interpretation trends development appropriate management strategies populations.