Wildfowl
We have applied individual-based models to a wide range of environmental issues, including the effects of shellfishing and aquaculture,
human disturbance, habitat loss and the assessment of site quality.
This page summarises the range of sites and issues for which wildfowl models have been developed.
Hover your mouse pointer over a site on the map for details of that case study.
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Multisite wildfowl model
Background:
Many migratory waders and waterfowl occupy widely separated, estuarine locations. Birds often move long distances, sometimes in response to unfavourable conditions (e.g. bad weather). Predicting the consequences of local environmental change on the wider population may be enhanced by adopting a multi-site modelling approach.
Issue:
The dark-bellied brent goose is a migratory bird which has increased greatly in abundance due to a population recovery of its preferred food (eel grass) and protection from hunting. Is it possible to predict how the large-scale distribution and abundance of these birds would be affected by local and global environmental change (e.g. more human disturbance)?
Modelling:
A multi-site model has been developed in which a population of birds migrates between European wintering sites and its Arctic breeding grounds. The model tracks the location and body condition of every individual in the population. The model predicts mortality and body condition at the end of winter, which determines breeding success, and hence long-term changes in population size.
Results:
The model will be used to simulate current circumstances and novel scenarios. Its outputs will be tested against the current distribution, movement patterns and winter mortality rates of brent geese. Simulations of novel scenarios will be used to explore the consequences of a range of local and global environmental changes on the population as a whole.
Collaboration:Alterra, Aarhus University National Environment Research Institute, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
German Waddensea
Background:
Many migratory waders and waterfowl occupy widely separated, estuarine locations. Birds often move long distances, sometimes in response to unfavourable conditions (e.g. bad weather). Predicting the consequences of local environmental change on the wider population may be enhanced by adopting a multi-site modelling approach.
Issue:
The dark-bellied brent goose is a migratory bird which has increased greatly in abundance due to a population recovery of its preferred food (eel grass) and protection from hunting. Is it possible to predict how the large-scale distribution and abundance of these birds would be affected by local and global environmental change (e.g. more human disturbance)?
Modelling:
A multi-site model has been developed in which a population of birds migrates between European wintering sites and its Arctic breeding grounds. The model tracks the location and body condition of every individual in the population. The model predicts mortality and body condition at the end of winter, which determines breeding success, and hence long-term changes in population size.
Results:
The model will be used to simulate current circumstances and novel scenarios. Its outputs will be tested against the current distribution, movement patterns and winter mortality rates of brent geese. Simulations of novel scenarios will be used to explore the consequences of a range of local and global environmental changes on the population as a whole.
Collaboration:Alterra, Aarhus University National Environment Research Institute, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Dutch Waddensea
Background:
Many migratory waders and waterfowl occupy widely separated, estuarine locations. Birds often move long distances, sometimes in response to unfavourable conditions (e.g. bad weather). Predicting the consequences of local environmental change on the wider population may be enhanced by adopting a multi-site modelling approach.
Issue:
The dark-bellied brent goose is a migratory bird which has increased greatly in abundance due to a population recovery of its preferred food (eel grass) and protection from hunting. Is it possible to predict how the large-scale distribution and abundance of these birds would be affected by local and global environmental change (e.g. more human disturbance)?
Modelling:
A multi-site model has been developed in which a population of birds migrates between European wintering sites and its Arctic breeding grounds. The model tracks the location and body condition of every individual in the population. The model predicts mortality and body condition at the end of winter, which determines breeding success, and hence long-term changes in population size.
Results:
The model will be used to simulate current circumstances and novel scenarios. Its outputs will be tested against the current distribution, movement patterns and winter mortality rates of brent geese. Simulations of novel scenarios will be used to explore the consequences of a range of local and global environmental changes on the population as a whole.
Collaboration:Alterra, Aarhus University National Environment Research Institute, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Bassin d'Arcachon
Background:
Many migratory waders and waterfowl occupy widely separated, estuarine locations. Birds often move long distances, sometimes in response to unfavourable conditions (e.g. bad weather). Predicting the consequences of local environmental change on the wider population may be enhanced by adopting a multi-site modelling approach.
Issue:
The dark-bellied brent goose is a migratory bird which has increased greatly in abundance due to a population recovery of its preferred food (eel grass) and protection from hunting. Is it possible to predict how the large-scale distribution and abundance of these birds would be affected by local and global environmental change (e.g. more human disturbance)?
Modelling:
A multi-site model has been developed in which a population of birds migrates between European wintering sites and its Arctic breeding grounds. The model tracks the location and body condition of every individual in the population. The model predicts mortality and body condition at the end of winter, which determines breeding success, and hence long-term changes in population size.
Results:
The model will be used to simulate current circumstances and novel scenarios. Its outputs will be tested against the current distribution, movement patterns and winter mortality rates of brent geese. Simulations of novel scenarios will be used to explore the consequences of a range of local and global environmental changes on the population as a whole.
Collaboration:Alterra, Aarhus University National Environment Research Institute, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Golfe du Morbihan
Background:
Many migratory waders and waterfowl occupy widely separated, estuarine locations. Birds often move long distances, sometimes in response to unfavourable conditions (e.g. bad weather). Predicting the consequences of local environmental change on the wider population may be enhanced by adopting a multi-site modelling approach.
Issue:
The dark-bellied brent goose is a migratory bird which has increased greatly in abundance due to a population recovery of its preferred food (eel grass) and protection from hunting. Is it possible to predict how the large-scale distribution and abundance of these birds would be affected by local and global environmental change (e.g. more human disturbance)?
Modelling:
A multi-site model has been developed in which a population of birds migrates between European wintering sites and its Arctic breeding grounds. The model tracks the location and body condition of every individual in the population. The model predicts mortality and body condition at the end of winter, which determines breeding success, and hence long-term changes in population size.
Results:
The model will be used to simulate current circumstances and novel scenarios. Its outputs will be tested against the current distribution, movement patterns and winter mortality rates of brent geese. Simulations of novel scenarios will be used to explore the consequences of a range of local and global environmental changes on the population as a whole.
Collaboration:Alterra, Aarhus University National Environment Research Institute, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Exe estuary
Background:
Many migratory waders and waterfowl occupy widely separated, estuarine locations. Birds often move long distances, sometimes in response to unfavourable conditions (e.g. bad weather). Predicting the consequences of local environmental change on the wider population may be enhanced by adopting a multi-site modelling approach.
Issue:
The dark-bellied brent goose is a migratory bird which has increased greatly in abundance due to a population recovery of its preferred food (eel grass) and protection from hunting. Is it possible to predict how the large-scale distribution and abundance of these birds would be affected by local and global environmental change (e.g. more human disturbance)?
Modelling:
A multi-site model has been developed in which a population of birds migrates between European wintering sites and its Arctic breeding grounds. The model tracks the location and body condition of every individual in the population. The model predicts mortality and body condition at the end of winter, which determines breeding success, and hence long-term changes in population size.
Results:
The model will be used to simulate current circumstances and novel scenarios. Its outputs will be tested against the current distribution, movement patterns and winter mortality rates of brent geese. Simulations of novel scenarios will be used to explore the consequences of a range of local and global environmental changes on the population as a whole.
Collaboration:Alterra, Aarhus University National Environment Research Institute, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
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