SASKATOON — Unlike other species on the prairies, eagles are doing remarkably well, says a retired University of Saskatchewan professor who studied prairie raptors for more than 30 years.
Dr. Joe Schmutz points out in a Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan webinar that two major changes that have shaped Prairie Canada were the loss of the bison in the late 1800s and settlement in the early 1900s. Some species benefitted from this change, dubbed ‘following the plow,’ such as grain-eating species and browsers. Others declined, such as insectivores and those involved higher up in the insect food chain.
He says if his suggestions of causal relationships are valid, then the eagles benefitted from ecosystem changes that began at the basic landscape level long ago. Shrubs and trees invaded previously extensive grassland changing food availability and predator-prey dynamics. He asks, if his suggested are valid, how do the suggested causal relationships apply to conservation strategies today?
To watch, Dr. Schmutz’s presentation, click this link to the Native Prairie Speaker Series webinar.
Other presentations in the Native Prairie Speaker Series can be found on the SK PCAP YouTube channel.
