Ouse Washes

Ouse Washes

by | Sep 7, 2019

Ouse Washes

Bird species included in model

Bewick’s swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii), Mute swan (Cygnus olor), Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Environmental issues simulated

Effect on swans of the availability of food resources and levels of competition in agricultural landscapes

Recommendations from modelling

Swans have capacity to buffer against losses of food resources and increased competition by increasing their foraging effort, but this may result in additional grazing damage to agricultural crops.

More information

Wood, K. A., Stillman, R. A., Newth, J. L., Nuijten, R. J. M., Hilton, G. M., Nolet, B. A. and Rees, E. C. (2021) Predicting avian herbivore responses to changing food availability and competition. Ecological Modelling, 441, 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2020.109421.

Funding

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

River Frome

River Frome

by | Sep 6, 2019

River Frome

Bird species included in model

Mute swan (Cypnus olor)

Environmental issues simulated

Changes in land (and river) management changing habitat area and food quality

Recommendations from modelling

Provision of high quality terrestrial food can prevent depletion of protected aquatic plant species by mute swan.

More information

Wood, K.A., Stillman, R.A., Daunt, F. & O’Hare, M.T. (2014). Can sacrificial feeding areas protect plants from herbivore grazing? Using behavioural ecology to inform wildlife management. PLOS One, 9, e104034, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104034

Funding

Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Algorithm (Grant Number NEC3579; Natural Environment Research Council)