Available Master theses Projects
Project 1: Bioacoustics and raptor communities
Drivers of distribution and dynamics of raptor communities in boreal forest landscape
Background: Raptors are a key component of the ecosystem, determining its structure and long-term dynamics. A wide variety of raptor species such as eagles, owls, kestrels, buzzards, harriers, and hawks, inhabit the boreal forest landscape, however, the drivers of their distribution and dynamics are little known especially in relation to differences in their life history strategies, diets, habitat use and human impact on their populations and interactions.
Aim: This thesis project is aimed at developing a deeper understanding of patterns of occurrence of raptor communities in the highly managed boreal forest landscape. The project makes use of bioacoustic data collected over a period of five years across the boreal forest landscape.
Requirements: The candidate is expected to work in field and with survey methods and statistical modelling. The student should have a good working knowledge of survey methods, bird communities, R and GIS. A good ability to write in English is a must.
Contact : [email protected]
Project 2: Species interactions
Golden eagle and reindeer interactions: many secrets yet to unveil?
Background: Golden eagles sit at the top of the food chain in the boreal ecosystem and potentially rely equally on scavenging opportunities. Eagles are associated with predation on reindeer calves, however, there is little supporting knowledge on the fine scale movements of eagles in reindeer herding areas as well as individual level differences in foraging tactics between adults and young birds.
Aim: This 60-credit thesis project is aimed at developing a deeper understanding of golden eagle movements in reindeer herding areas and their foraging behaviour.
Requirements: The student is expected to work with existing movement data on eagles and reindeer from Sweden. The student should have a working knowledge of R and GIS. A good ability to write in English is a must.
Contact : [email protected]
Drivers of distribution and dynamics of raptor communities in boreal forest landscape
Background: Raptors are a key component of the ecosystem, determining its structure and long-term dynamics. A wide variety of raptor species such as eagles, owls, kestrels, buzzards, harriers, and hawks, inhabit the boreal forest landscape, however, the drivers of their distribution and dynamics are little known especially in relation to differences in their life history strategies, diets, habitat use and human impact on their populations and interactions.
Aim: This thesis project is aimed at developing a deeper understanding of patterns of occurrence of raptor communities in the highly managed boreal forest landscape. The project makes use of bioacoustic data collected over a period of five years across the boreal forest landscape.
Requirements: The candidate is expected to work in field and with survey methods and statistical modelling. The student should have a good working knowledge of survey methods, bird communities, R and GIS. A good ability to write in English is a must.
Contact : [email protected]
Project 2: Species interactions
Golden eagle and reindeer interactions: many secrets yet to unveil?
Background: Golden eagles sit at the top of the food chain in the boreal ecosystem and potentially rely equally on scavenging opportunities. Eagles are associated with predation on reindeer calves, however, there is little supporting knowledge on the fine scale movements of eagles in reindeer herding areas as well as individual level differences in foraging tactics between adults and young birds.
Aim: This 60-credit thesis project is aimed at developing a deeper understanding of golden eagle movements in reindeer herding areas and their foraging behaviour.
Requirements: The student is expected to work with existing movement data on eagles and reindeer from Sweden. The student should have a working knowledge of R and GIS. A good ability to write in English is a must.
Contact : [email protected]
Read our new study published in the Science of the Total Environment:
Linear infrastructure and associated wildlife accidents create an ecological trap for an apex predator and scavenger
Abstract
Animals may fall into an ‘ecological trap’ when they select seemingly attractive habitats at the expense of their fitness. This maladaptive behavior is often the result of rapid, human-induced changes in their natal environment, such as the construction of energy and transportation infrastructure. We tested the ecological trap hypothesis regarding human-created linear infrastructure on a widely distributed apex predator and scavenger—the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), whose range spans the entire Northern Hemisphere. Roads and railways offer novel and attractive feeding opportunities through traffic-induced mortality of other species, while powerline areas provide perching or nesting sites and scavenging opportunities from electrocuted or collision-killed birds. These conditions may have negative demographic consequences for eagles if these apparent opportunities turn into traps. Using step selection functions, we analyzed habitat selection of 74 GPS-tracked Golden Eagles (37 adults and 37 immatures) during eleven years in Fennoscandia. To assess habitat attractiveness, we used wildlife traffic accident statistics for dominant wild species, and to evaluate demographic consequences, we used mortality data from the GPS-tagged eagles. Our analysis revealed that eagles selected linear features such as roads, railways and powerlines at both the population and individual levels. Both adult and immature eagles consistently selected these features, and the strength of selection for linear features increased with age in immature eagles. The linear features however had 5.5 times higher mortality risk for eagles than other selected habitats indicating the presence of an ecological trap. We discuss the implications of these findings for the conservation and population ecology of apex predators and scavengers, as well as their potential demographic consequences. To mitigate this issue, we urgently recommend the removal of carcasses from roads and tracks to prevent ecological traps for raptors and scavenger species worldwide. Additionally, we advocate for the development of methods and strategies to reduce wildlife traffic accidents.
Animals may fall into an ‘ecological trap’ when they select seemingly attractive habitats at the expense of their fitness. This maladaptive behavior is often the result of rapid, human-induced changes in their natal environment, such as the construction of energy and transportation infrastructure. We tested the ecological trap hypothesis regarding human-created linear infrastructure on a widely distributed apex predator and scavenger—the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), whose range spans the entire Northern Hemisphere. Roads and railways offer novel and attractive feeding opportunities through traffic-induced mortality of other species, while powerline areas provide perching or nesting sites and scavenging opportunities from electrocuted or collision-killed birds. These conditions may have negative demographic consequences for eagles if these apparent opportunities turn into traps. Using step selection functions, we analyzed habitat selection of 74 GPS-tracked Golden Eagles (37 adults and 37 immatures) during eleven years in Fennoscandia. To assess habitat attractiveness, we used wildlife traffic accident statistics for dominant wild species, and to evaluate demographic consequences, we used mortality data from the GPS-tagged eagles. Our analysis revealed that eagles selected linear features such as roads, railways and powerlines at both the population and individual levels. Both adult and immature eagles consistently selected these features, and the strength of selection for linear features increased with age in immature eagles. The linear features however had 5.5 times higher mortality risk for eagles than other selected habitats indicating the presence of an ecological trap. We discuss the implications of these findings for the conservation and population ecology of apex predators and scavengers, as well as their potential demographic consequences. To mitigate this issue, we urgently recommend the removal of carcasses from roads and tracks to prevent ecological traps for raptors and scavenger species worldwide. Additionally, we advocate for the development of methods and strategies to reduce wildlife traffic accidents.
The overall goal of the project is the effective conservation of the Golden eagle, through cross-border collaboration between Sweden, Finland, and Norway by: harmonization of population data collection methods and surveys, joint data analyses, and sharing of knowledge and best practice, including traditional knowledge, for future joint implementation and development of sustainable management strategies.
The specific objectives are to investigate the:
1. Population Ecology of northern golden eagle population (WP1)
2. Eagles and livestock (reindeer and sheep) interactions (WP2)
3. Eagles and land use (wind farms & forestry) relationships (WP3)
1. Population Ecology of northern golden eagle population (WP1)
2. Eagles and livestock (reindeer and sheep) interactions (WP2)
3. Eagles and land use (wind farms & forestry) relationships (WP3)
Project Partners
• SLU
• University of Oulu
• NINA Tromsö
• Wind farm industry - Vattenfall and Statkraft
• Länsstyrelsen
• VOF Västerbotten
• Metsähallitus Finland
• University of Oulu
• NINA Tromsö
• Wind farm industry - Vattenfall and Statkraft
• Länsstyrelsen
• VOF Västerbotten
• Metsähallitus Finland
