Predicting avian herbivore responses to changing food availability and competition

Many species of large herbivore rely on agricultural land for their feeding habitats, but available food resources are highly variable in space and time. The conservation and management of farmland-dependant herbivores would therefore benefit from predictions about how species will respond to changes in their environment. We developed an individual-based model (IBM) to provide such predictions for three overwintering avian herbivore species that feed on agricultural land: Bewick's swans (Cygnus columbianus bewickii), whooper swans (Cygnus cygnus), and mute swans (Cygnus olor). Our validated model predicted how potential future changes in food availability and competition would affect (i) the proportion of the current swan population that could be supported, (ii) the proportion of swans that successfully departed on migration at the end of winter, (iii) swan daily foraging effort, and (iv) late winter crop biomasses. Regardless of competitor numbers or food availability, all individuals were predicted to avoid starvation and depart successfully. Individual swans offset higher competition and reduced food availability by increasing the proportion of daylight spent foraging. Our simulations indicate that swans have considerable capacity to buffer against losses of food resources and increased competition by increasing their foraging effort, but this may result in additional grazing damage to agricultural crops. Our findings suggest that the recent c.40% decline in Bewick's swan numbers was unlikely to be linked to changes in winter food resources or competition.

Automated summary

A model was developed to predict the responses of overwintering avian herbivore species to changes in their environment, particularly in food availability and competition. The research showed that, despite challenges such as competition and reduced food resources, swans have the ability to increase their foraging effort to avoid starvation and successfully migrate. However, this increased foraging effort may lead to additional damage to agricultural crops. Interestingly, the decline in Bewick's swan numbers in recent years was found to be unlikely related to changes in winter food resources or competition.