Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/M009602/1
Raptor health as an indicator of ecosystem health - development of novel surveillance tools for conservation
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Professor AL Meredith, University of Edinburgh, Roslin Institute
- Grant held at:
- University of Edinburgh, Roslin Institute
- Science Area:
- Freshwater
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Global Change
- Natural Resource Management
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- Animal diseases
- Conservation Ecology
- Abstract:
- Scotland's raptors are internationally important, with large populations of five species (golden eagle, peregrine, hen harrier, merlin and short-eared owl) given high level protection within EU Special Protection Areas. Some raptors nest in Scotland at higher densities and/or more productively than elsewhere. Special efforts for conserving and managing these raptors include designation and targeted support for protected areas, sharing of good management practice, development of novel management techniques (e.g diversionary feeding), reintroduction programmes, and partnership working to tackle illegal persecution. Recently, significant effort has gone into to developing the evidence base on the distribution, numbers and productivity of raptors through the formation of the Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme (SRMS) and its unique database which currently holds >6,000 records. Emerging from this is a growing concern about raptor health in some parts of Scotland, and indeed across parts of Europe. Raptor chick and natural adult mortality appears to be higher in some regions than others, and there is substantial variation in development and condition of chicks (and fledglings) which is largely unexplained by factors such as food supply. At the top of the food chain, raptors reflect changes in their habitat and food supplies. We have recent evidence of climate change influences on golden eagle productivity; wetter spring conditions in west Scotland over the last thirty years are strongly correlated with reduced productivity, which may be mediated through poor adult condition or health. We suspect that infectious and non-infectious disease may account for much more of the variation in raptor mortality than previously assessed. Some mortality may be co-related to poor nutrition and may be density-dependent, which has key implications for managing protected areas. We propose to develop a new conservation tool for assessing the health of Scotland's raptors, using new and previously untapped data sources. First, one of our partners, SASA, undertakes analyses of 100-300 raptor corpses each year to detect pesticides, poisons and other chemicals.By undertaking detailed veterinary post mortem examinations of these birds we will develop a better understanding of why they have died, and their health status. Second, working with the 250+ active members of the Scottish Raptor Study Group, we propose to collect discarded feathers and, under licence, blood samples of chicks, to develop the evidence base on levels of disease, parasitism and key nutrients in these birds. Third, for the key conservation reintroduction programmes (sea eagles, red kites), we will pool data from feather and blood samples to determine the health of released compared with established birds. Fourth, we will draw together data on the raptors' prey base (notably through analysing regurgitated pellet contents, and comparing these with a sample of prey remains left in the nest) to look for regional variations, and if possible, assess the nutritional condition of some prey based on chemical analyses of the bones (in pellets and nest remains), which may have a bearing on the condition and health of predators. Overall this study aims to: 1. Provide an overview of the health of raptors found dead and submitted to SASA for chemical analyses; 2. Assess the health of raptor chicks, focusing on golden eagle and buzzard, and develop metrics for assessing this; 3. Look for regional variation in the health of raptor chicks, and factors accounting for this; and 4. Devise a tool for assessing the health of raptors, which addresses fieldwork and post mortem requirements, and provides a steer on indicators.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/M009602/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Industrial CASE
This training grant award has a total value of £85,122
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - RTSG | Total - Student Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| £16,584 | £11,000 | £57,536 |
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