Low breeding performance of the Steller’s sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) causes the populations to decline

Michael S. Romanov and Vladimir B. Masterov

Ecological Modelling, 2020, vol. 420, issue C

Abstract: Adult survival has long been believed to be the most important demographic parameter in long-lived species such as large raptors, with productivity being of secondary importance. Our studies of the Steller’s sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) populations on the north-east of Sakhalin Island and in the Amur region (Russian Far East) in 2004–2017 have revealed highly unstable productivity that averages 0.53 and 0.61 fledglings per occupied territory per year, respectively, which is fairly low in comparison to previous decades (about 1 fledgling per occupied territory per year). The productivity varied between years within a 2.7-fold span, being relatively low most of the time. On Sakhalin Island, the most serious hazard influencing eagle productivity is nestling predation by brown bears. Among other negative factors are adverse weather and food conditions, habitat alteration, disturbance at nest sites, and (on the mainland) the hydrological regime of the Amur River.

Keywords: Steller's sea eagle; Haliaeetus pelagicus; Matrix population model; Breeding performance; Bear predation; Russian Far East (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:420:y:2020:i:c:s0304380019303850

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2019.108877

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