Acta Univ Latv (2004) 676: 131–139

Relationships between the nest predation rates caused by different waterfowl nest predators: an artificial nest experiment

Abstract

Nest predation is crucial process affecting the breeding success of birds and their fitness. Numerous studies have been carried out using natural and artificial nests to test nest failures caused by different predator species. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction among nest predation rates due to different predators, i.e. how changes in one predator's predation rate and consumption of the nests are related to the predation rate of other predators? Depredation of artificial nests was studied in 5.68 ha and 10.17 ha plot on Lielrova island, in Lake Engure in Latvia, in 2002 and 2003 respectively. This study shows that food availability (e.g. number of nests) and activity of other predators was significantly related to the nest predation rate by interspecific predators in a waterfowl nest predator community. Nest daily mortality rates caused by predators were related to changes in the number of exposed nests. The experimental study showed that predation on artificial nests by competitive nest predators was a significant predicator of the possibility of nest predation by other members of the local predator community.