Sward height and bite size affect the functional response of barnacle geese Branta leucopsis

被引:20
|
作者
van der Graaf, Alexandra J.
Coehoorn, Pieter
Stahl, Julia
机构
[1] Univ Groningen, Ctr Ecol & Evolut Studies, Anim Ecol Grp, NL-9750 AA Haren, Netherlands
[2] Univ Oldenburg, Landscape Ecol Grp, D-26111 Oldenburg, Germany
来源
JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY | 2006年 / 147卷 / 03期
关键词
bite size; feeding trial; intake rate; herbivore; peck rate;
D O I
10.1007/s10336-005-0041-5
中图分类号
Q95 [动物学];
学科分类号
071002 ;
摘要
Intake rate, the rate in which herbivores can process their food, is presumed to be an important factor in habitat selection down to the scale of the foraging patch. Much attention has been given to the selection of swards of high nutritional quality, but much less has been given to the influences of sward structure on patch selection in small herbivores. In this study we tested the effects of sward density and height on the functional foraging response of barnacle geese, Branta leucopsis. The functional response curve for herbivores describes how intake rate is affected by food availability. We conducted feeding trials to determine intake rate and bite size of barnacle geese on experimentally manipulated swards. Results indicate that intake rate is mainly dependent on sward height and that there is a strong correlation between bite size and intake rate. Sward density does not influence the rate of food consumption; it is, however, a crucial parameter affecting potential total yield. We conclude that bite size is the crucial parameter influencing intake rate. Bite size is explained both by sward height and individual differences in bill morphology. Furthermore, intake rate seems to be dependent on the physical structure of the grass species consumed.
引用
收藏
页码:479 / 484
页数:6
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