Help Please Environment > Conservation?
Posted by IT CommentatorOct 1
Hen harriers consume red grouse…
To try and help resolve this conflict scientists are currently conducting experiments to test whether the hen harrier populations can be increased at the same time as reducing their negative impact on grouse populations. the information can be used to inform decisions about how best to conserve grouse,harriers and moorland habitats.
The experiment will be carried out in two large areas where harriers are rare. within these areas the results of two strategies on the size of the harrier and grouse population will be measured.
1.Killing the harrier chicks or moving them to different location where harrier population reaches agreed ceiling
2.providing alternative sources of food for hen harriers
Question im stuck on :O
4.suggest reason why:………
1.the experiment will take at least 5 years to produce any findings
2.each experimental area will contain a number of different moorland sites managed by different individuals.
3.the independent body acceptable to both conservation groups and grouse managers will be needed to oversee the experiment?
4.The sites chosen for the experiment are ones where harriers can be expected to colonize really quickly?
Just these 4 little points are annoying me :S …
If someone could help i would be more than appreciative! 
Thanks xxx
1) You best look up population studies in general.
2) Different habitat management plans should help find out what is happening and why, without actually testing the new theories.
3) Is there such an independent body? Is this just a ploy to keep the “Business as usual” habitat destruction and relocation of species?
4) Maybe ahabitation plans should be made in advance.
Several other comments:
Reasons for the decline of red grouse has been said to be from overgrazing, afforestation of conifers, poor habitat management and a decline in the employment of gamekeepers. This would point to why population declines of BOTH the red grouse and the hen harrier has been occurring. However, as the hen harrier is declining globally, killing of the chicks is not a viable option. Relocating could be, but only if there is experts on hand and a sustainable supply of food and habitat.
1. You will need more than one generation to get results you can attribute to the experiment, rather than uncontrollable factors.
2. This is an attempt to eliminate effects of factors you are not testing. Get a book on experimental design or statistic and read up on Latin Squares.
3. This is an emotional problem and nobody wants one or the other party to be able to claim bias if the results don’t turn out the way they wanted them to.
4. The longer the harriers take to colonize, the longer the study will take.
Sounds like an interesting project.
grouse also suffer badly from a parasitic worm that can cause fatality. i am suprised that they are killing hen harrier chicks when they are endangered. has one of the royal family vounteered to do it?