FIDELITY TO SPECIFIC AREAS
- Studies further substantiate fidelity of
sea ducks to specific wintering, nesting, and moulting areas.
- We know little of how genetic
significance of distinct resident populations relates to population
sustainability.
- Faithful return year after year of
distinct sea ducks to specific bays and channels, reduces mortality and
promotes sustainability because of reduced unpredictability by
intimately experiencing these areas for predation, food availability,
weather patterns.
- Hunting pressure takes advantage of this
aspect of life patterns and targets specific areas into depletion. It
can also displace individuals and waste critical energy needed in the
cold winter months while being chased and herded.
To continue to allow excessive removal of
genetic blocks from particular bays is a mortality to genetic diversity
and weakens the population. |
