Movement of foraging Tundra Swans explained by spatial pattern in cryptic food densities

• Main Authors: Klaassen, R.H.G., Nolet, B.A., Bankert, D.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2006
• Subjects: Tundra
• Online Access: https://pure.knaw.nl/portal/en/publications/3e1a70bd-246e-42bf-a1d2-2617be3f8081; https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(2006)87[2244:MOFTSE]2.0.CO;2; https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11755/3e1a70bd-246e-42bf-a1d2-2617be3f8081; https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/files/479172/Klaassen_ea_3804.pdf

We tested whether Tundra Swans use information on the spatial distribution of cryptic food items (belowground Sago pondweed tubers) to shape their movement paths. In a continuous environment, swans create their own food patches by digging craters, which they exploit in several feeding bouts. Series of short (1 m). Tuber biomass densities showed a positive spatial auto-correlation at a short distance (25 g/m2) and to a more distant patch (at 7–8 m) if the food density in the current patch had been low (3 m) from a low-density patch and a short distance ( We tested whether Tundra Swans use information on the spatial distribution of cryptic food items (belowground Sago pondweed tubers) to shape their movement paths. In a continuous environment, swans create their own food patches by digging craters, which they exploit in several feeding bouts. Series of short (1 m). Tuber biomass densities showed a positive spatial auto-correlation at a short distance (25 g/m2) and to a more distant patch (at 7–8 m) if the food density in the current patch had been low (3 m) from a low-density patch and a short distance (