Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/C514390/1
Does supplementary feeding of mountain hares increase survival and fecundity?
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Dr I Graham, University of St Andrews, Biology School
- Grant held at:
- University of St Andrews, Biology School
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Population Ecology
- Conservation Ecology
- Abstract:
- Populations of mountain hare Lepus timidus in Scotland show dramatic and regular changes in abundance with regular seven to ten year fluctuations in abundance. The ecological mechanisms causing these fluctuations are currently unknown. Large-scale experiments on cyclic populations of snowshoe hares suggest that predation and food availability interact to destabilise hare populations. However, mountain hares in Scotland typically occur on sporting estates where predators are rigorously controlled and thus it is unlikely that predation causes mountain hare cycles. Over-winter food abundance has long been recognised as playing a critical role in the dynamics of animal populations. Over-winter nutrition is likely to be particularly important by influencing body condition and fecundity the following breeding season. We propose a food addition study to investigate the effect of nutrition on mountain hare survival and fecundity. We will develop and test methods for remotely monitoring and recording an individual hares use of feeding stations. This will enable us to relate individual survival and fecundity to an individuals use of teed stations. Hares will be live trapped, implanted with PIT tags and a sub-sample will be fitted with radio-collars prior to winter. Individual use of feeding stations will be recorded by a remote PIT tag reader and data logger. Survival and feeding behaviour will be studied using radio-telemetry Monthly live-trapping throughout the breeding season will enable us to assess body condition, time of breeding, pregnancy rates and number of foetuses. The ability to collect information at an individual level will be great use in future work as it will allow us to carry about experiments and make models at the individual level.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/C514390/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Small Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Small Grants
This grant award has a total value of £31,095
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £1,829 | £11,369 | £12,667 | £5,230 |
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