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

• Published in: Ecotoxicology (London) Vol. 21; no. 1; pp. 27 - 36
• Main Authors: Korsman, John C., Schipper, Aafke M., Lenders, H. J. Rob, Foppen, Ruud P. B., Hendriks, A. Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.01.2012; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Animals; Breeding success; DDE; DDT - toxicity; Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene - toxicity; Disturbance; Eagles; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Management; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Haliaeetus albicilla; Models, Biological; Nitrous oxide; PCB; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - toxicity; Population Density; Population Dynamics; Population growth; Population number; Reproducibility of Results; Reproduction - drug effects; Stress; Stress, Physiological; ANE, Netherlands; Sea eagle; Population dynamics; DDE; DDT; PCB
• ISSN: 0963-9292; 1573-3017
• DOI: 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.