Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington
Browse
thesis_access.pdf (5.66 MB)

Aspects of the Feeding Ecology of Mallard and Black Swan in a Small Freshwater Lake

Download (5.66 MB)
thesis
posted on 2021-11-08, 04:46 authored by Potts, Kerry John

Section 1. Limnological and waterfowl food supply characteristics of Pukepuke Lagoon are described. Emphasis is placed on describing how the balance between macrophytes and phytoplankton is established (these two forms of vegetation tend to dominate alternately in the lagoon). The question of whether heavy swan grazing may potentially shift this balance in favour of phytoplankton dominance is examined. Section 2. The year-round patterns of feeding exhibited by mallards are described on the basis of scan counts taken at one or two-hourly intervals from dawn to dusk. These feeding patterns, graphically depicted, are then interpreted and discussed against the background of what is known of the food content of the lagoon. Reference is made to the behavioural and physiological adaptability of the birds, and to the reserve capacity of the wetland complex - not just Pukepuke Lagoon - to sustain them. The relevance of these findings and interpretations, to New Zealand in general is discussed. Section 3. An hypothesis is developed to account for the way in which black swans use various waters in the Pukepuke-centred wetland complex.

History

Copyright Date

1982-01-01

Date of Award

1982-01-01

Publisher

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Rights License

Author Retains Copyright

Degree Discipline

Zoology

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Doctoral

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Awarded Doctoral Thesis

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

School of Biological Sciences

Advisors

Balham, R W