Habitat distribution of the mallard in relation to vegetation structure, food, and population density

• The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus) is a generalist feeder, breeding in a wide range of habitats, yet showing considerable between site differences in density. Variations in density and habitat use may result from inter- and intra-specific competition, habitat structure or food. We studied habitat selection of the mallard in four regions of Finland and Sweden. In each region, ten lakes were chosen ranging from oligotrophic to eutrophic. Habitat distribution of the mallard did not differ between regions despite variation in the density of the species and congenerics. Mallard density did not correlate with vegetation structure, but increased with food abundance and the number and density of congenerics although there were regional differences in mallard response.

Ämnesord

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologiska vetenskaper (hsv//swe)

Nyckelord

MALLARD

HABITAT DISTRIBUTION

DENSITY

FOOD

VEGETATION

DABBLING DUCKS

NORTH-DAKOTA

WATERFOWL

ASSOCIATIONS

PATTERN

MARSH

GUILD

SIZE

Biology

Biologi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)