Average mass of seeds encountered by foraging dabbling ducks in Western Europe
Legagneux P.; Schricke V; Arzel C.; Arnaud A.; Elmberg J.; Chambouleyron M.; Lepley M.; Bosca F.; Pin C.; Guillemain M.
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2021042716069
Tiivistelmä
Many
dabbling ducks Anas spp. are largely granivorous, consuming a variety of seeds
chiefly from aquatic plants. To assess the relative value and carrying capacity
of wetlands for dabbling ducks, species-specific information about seed mass is
needed, but it is still largely missing or scattered in the literature. By
combining weights of seeds collected in the field with a literature review, we
provide a reference table for seed mass of 200 western European plant taxa
frequently encountered by foraging dabbling ducks. Seeds collected in the field
were sampled in microhabitats and at depths at which ducks were observed to
forage, and study sites represent wintering, staging as well as breeding areas
within a flyway in western Europe. When combined with calorimetric data, the
present reference table will aid managers and scientists in assessing the
importance of seed food resources at different sites and during different parts
of the annual cycle.
Kokoelmat
- Rinnakkaistallenteet [19207]