The Swedish Raptor Research project
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  • Home
  • The Swedish Golden Eagle Project
  • AquilaNorth
  • Gotlands Eagles
  • Boreal Raptor Project
  • News
  • Team
  • Research
    • Eagles and Lead
    • Eagles and Windfarms
    • Eagles and Traffic
    • Eagles and Reindeer
    • Eagles and Powerlines
    • Eagle Population ecology
    • Genetics
    • Illegal Hunting
  • Publications

Available Master theses Projects

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Project 1 Boreal Raptor Project – Where do the eagles die and why?

Raptors are an important group of species, being the top predators, are at times conflict with humans. They are also indicators of ecosystem health. Studying the causes of mortality in raptors is critically important for ecological, conservation, and management questions. Raptors are especially sensitive to human activities such as habitat destruction, collisions with wind turbines, electrocution on power lines, pesticide use, and illegal hunting.

Eagle monitoring in Sweden is mainly focused on monitoring breeding parameters and currently does not include survival and mortality rates. These estimates are crucial for population management as projections cannot be made without such field data.

This project is aimed at identifying and quantifying the patterns and causes of mortality of Swedish Eagles (Golden and White-Tailed Eagles) using nationally compiled datasets and those followed in research. The eventual goal is to produce crucial demographic parameters that may inform national monitoring and conservation.

The work is a joint effort between Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and Naturhistoriska riksmuseet.

If you are someone looking for a diverse experience with strong interest towards Quantitative Ecology and Biodiversity, then this is for you. You get to work in a highly motivated and adventurous research group and have lots of fun with work. See www.goldeneagleswede.com; https://lnkd.in/dZjqtZTr

Also see our newly published study:
https://lnkd.in/d4m6ixQ5

Write a few sentences about yourself, why you think this project is for you, along with your CV.

Mail to: [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
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​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.
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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)
Project Partners
• SLU 
• University of Oulu 
• NINA Tromsö
• Wind farm industry - Vattenfall and Statkraft
• Länsstyrelsen 
• VOF Västerbotten
• Metsähallitus Finland

Camera trap monitoring of nests

We have started to receive fascinating insights into Golden eagle biology from our Camera trap monitoring of nests. Here are some snapshots. 

In News

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Our new technical report is now out.
The report can be found here .
​Singh, N.J., Hipkiss, T., Ecke, F, Hörnfeldt, B. (2017) Betydelsen av kungsörnars hemområden, biotopval och rörelser för vindkraftsetablering Del 2 / Movement patterns of golden eagles and importance for wind power development in Sweden Part 2.

Master Thesis Presentation of Eirini-Lamprini Daouti. 
Breeding dynamics of Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) population in the boreal forest of Sweden.
2017-01-20, 1300 in Laxen Hall at SLU, Umeå
New Publication on Breeding habitat selection. May 2016.

Habitat selection by adult Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos during the breeding season and implications for wind farm establishment.
Abstract
Capsule: Global Positioning System (GPS)-tagged adult Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos breeding in forests in northern Sweden selected clear-cuts, coniferous forests with lichens and steep slopes during the breeding season but avoided wetlands and mixed forest.
Aims: To investigate the habitat selection patterns of tree-nesting Golden Eagles, and identify how potential conflicts with wind farm development could be minimized.
Methods: The study is based on GPS tracking data from 22 adult eagles. We estimated home range sizes using a biased random bridge approach and habitat selection patterns using resource selection functions following a use-availability design.
Results: Core home range size among adults was variable during the breeding season (5–30 km2 ). Individual movement extents were variable, but sexes did not significantly differ in their scale of movement. At the landscape scale, individuals selected for clear-cuts and coniferous forest with ground lichens, whereas wetland, water bodies and mixed forest were avoided. Steeper and south facing slopes were selected for, whereas, north facing slopes were avoided.
Conclusions: Potential conflicts between eagles and wind energy establishment can be reduced if wind farms are placed away from steep slopes, minimizing areas that are clear-cut during construction, and locating turbines within dense, young and other less favoured forest habitats.

Dr. Tim Hipkiss represented the project at a recent Wind Energy conference. The poster can be accessed on the publications page. 
See our new animations of the high resolution data on eagles around wind farms. 
Spännande forskning på gång om kungsörnen. SOF Birdlife.

Vacancies

Master Thesis Projects at SLU.
1. Flight behaviour of Golden eagles in response to wind farms.
2. Relative role of life history and land use in determining movement strategies of Golden eagles.

For more information about the projects, please email [email protected], or call 0706760103.
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