Faeces deposition and numbers of vertebrate herbivores in the vicinity of planktivorous seabird colonies in Hornsund, Spitsbergen

• Autorzy: Jakubas D , Zmudczynska K. , Wojczulanis-Jakubas K. , Stempniewicz L.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Ornithogenic tundra developing near large seabird colonies with its dense vegetation creates sites for foraging, hiding and breeding of herbivores. Grazing, trampling and faeces deposition are considered as the most important ways that vertebrate herbivores influence the plants. Excrement deposition level informs us on the intensity of grazing i.e. foraging ground attractiveness. We have compared vertebrate herbivores' faeces deposition (biomass) in the vicinity of big colonies of piscivorous (kittiwake Rissa tridactyla and Brunnich's guillemot Uria lomvia) and planktivorous (little auk Alle alle) seabirds and the control area was in Hornsund, SW Spitsbergen. Much higher level of faeces deposition was recorded nearby seabird colonies as compared to the control area. These finding points out that vertebrate herbivores concentrate and feed more intensively on rich ornithogenic pastures. Number of herbivores and their faeces deposition level recorded nearby planktivorous seabird colony were greater as compared to those found nearby the colony of piscivores. The highest number of geese (Branta bernicla and Anser brachyrhynchus) and of their faeces biomass were found near the colony of planktivorous little auk, where distinct gradient in faeces deposition level along the colony-seashore axis was recorded. Reindeers Rangifer tarandus were observed in considerable numbers near the little auk colony, and were not recorded at all near cliff-nesting sites of kittiwakes and guillemots. Total deposition of excrements produced by geese was generally higher if compared to reindeers.

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Polish Polar Research
• Rocznik: 2008
• Tom: 29
• Numer: 1
• Opis fizyczny: p.45-58,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Jakubas D

• Gdansk University, Al.Legionow 9, 80-441 Gdansk, Poland

autor

Zmudczynska K.

autor

Wojczulanis-Jakubas K.

autor

Stempniewicz L.

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