Modelling the impact of toxic and disturbance stress on white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) populations

• Published in: Ecotoxicology
• Main Authors: Korsman, John C., Schipper, Aafke M., Lenders, H. J. Rob, Foppen, Ruud P. B., Hendriks, A. Jan
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Springer US 2011
• Subjects: Article; Haliaeetus albicilla; White-tailed eagle
• Online Access: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3252495; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21861166; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-011-0760-8

Several studies have related breeding success and survival of sea eagles to toxic or non-toxic stress separately. In the present investigation, we analysed single and combined impacts of both toxic and disturbance stress on populations of white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), using an analytical single-species model. Chemical and eco(toxico)logical data reported from laboratory and field studies were used to parameterise and validate the model. The model was applied to assess the impact of ∑PCB, DDE and disturbance stress on the white-tailed eagle population in The Netherlands. Disturbance stress was incorporated through a 1.6% reduction in survival and a 10–50% reduction in reproduction. ∑PCB contamination from 1950 up to 1987 was found to be too high to allow the return of white-tailed eagle as a breeding species in that period. ∑PCB and population trends simulated for 2006–2050 suggest that future population growth is still reduced. Disturbance stress resulted in a reduced population development. The combination of both toxic and disturbance stress varied from a slower population development to a catastrophical reduction in population size, where the main cause was attributed to the reduction in reproduction of 50%. Application of the model was restricted by the current lack of quantitative dose–response relationships between non-toxic stress and survival and reproduction. Nevertheless, the model provides a first step towards integrating and quantifying the impacts of multiple stressors on white-tailed eagle populations.