Abstract
During 1972–1975, the breeding waterfowl populations of the northern parts of Fennoscandia (south to 65° N in Sweden) were surveyed for the first time. In 2009, a new survey was undertaken in the Swedish part of the mountain chain. Censuses were performed from the air in transects of 5×5 km squares and in special areas. The distribution of the different species was largely similar between the two periods but there were a number of differences on the regional level. Most species had more or less the same population sizes but there were some variation in the different parts of the mountains. Three species showed clear increases between the periods. Cygnus cygnus had the same increase in the mountain chain as in the rest of the country. Melanitta nigra was about four times as common in 2009 compared to the 1970s and Mergus merganser also had higher counts in 2009. Melanitta fusca decreased markedly in the mountain chain as along the coasts.
Highlights
The Scandinavian mountain chain like the other parts of northern Fennoscandia is rich in lakes and mires and is an important breeding area for many waterfowl species
It is the westernmost area of several northern species which are spread from Fennoscandia in the west all over northern Russia to the east
Even if it was well known that rich waterfowl populations were breeding in northern Fennoscandia, there were no large-scale surveys until the 1970s
Summary
The Scandinavian mountain chain like the other parts of northern Fennoscandia is rich in lakes and mires and is an important breeding area for many waterfowl species. As the aim of the 2009 survey was to compare the counts with those of the earlier survey for the whole mountain region, the timing is not crucial as the ducks going for higher altitudes are found during the surveys of more low-lying areas with open lakes, but timing will affect the detailed distribution of the waterfowl.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
