Show simple item record

Files in this item

Thumbnail

Item metadata

dc.contributor.authorSutherland, Chris
dc.contributor.authorFuller, Angela K.
dc.contributor.authorRoyle, J. Andrew
dc.contributor.authorHare, Matthew P.
dc.contributor.authorMadden, Sean
dc.date.accessioned2020-07-21T16:30:05Z
dc.date.available2020-07-21T16:30:05Z
dc.date.issued2018-06-12
dc.identifier268293368
dc.identifier844bd22c-0324-4c7c-96ab-f26b0ad21ccd
dc.identifier85048758345
dc.identifier29895946
dc.identifier.citationSutherland , C , Fuller , A K , Royle , J A , Hare , M P & Madden , S 2018 , ' Large-scale variation in density of an aquatic ecosystem indicator species ' , Scientific Reports , vol. 8 , 8958 . https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-26847-xen
dc.identifier.issn2045-2322
dc.identifier.otherORCID: /0000-0003-2073-1751/work/75248774
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10023/20299
dc.descriptionFunding: This work was supported by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Hudson River Natural Resource Trustees.en
dc.description.abstractMonitoring indicator species is a pragmatic approach to natural resource assessments, especially when the link between the indicator species and ecosystem state is well justified. However, conducting ecosystem assessments over representative spatial scales that are insensitive to local heterogeneity is challenging. We examine the link between polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination and population density of an aquatic habitat specialist over a large spatial scale using non-invasive genetic spatial capture-recapture. Using American mink (Neovison vison), a predatory mammal and an indicator of aquatic ecosystems, we compared estimates of density in two major river systems, one with extremely high levels of PCB contamination (Hudson River), and a hydrologically independent river with lower PCB levels (Mohawk River). Our work supports the hypothesis that mink densities are substantially (1.64-1.67 times) lower in the contaminated river system. We demonstrate the value of coupling the indicator species concept with well-conceived and spatially representative monitoring protocols. PCBs have demonstrable detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems, including mink, and these effects are likely to be profound and long-lasting, manifesting as population-level impacts. Through integrating non-invasive data collection, genetic analysis, and spatial capture-recapture methods, we present a monitoring framework for generating robust density estimates across large spatial scales.
dc.format.extent10
dc.format.extent1367125
dc.language.isoeng
dc.relation.ispartofScientific Reportsen
dc.subjectGE Environmental Sciencesen
dc.subjectQA Mathematicsen
dc.subjectQH301 Biologyen
dc.subjectDASen
dc.subject.lccGEen
dc.subject.lccQAen
dc.subject.lccQH301en
dc.titleLarge-scale variation in density of an aquatic ecosystem indicator speciesen
dc.typeJournal articleen
dc.contributor.institutionUniversity of St Andrews. Statisticsen
dc.contributor.institutionUniversity of St Andrews. Centre for Research into Ecological & Environmental Modellingen
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-26847-x
dc.description.statusPeer revieweden


This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record