Habitat use and population dynamics of the Azure-Winged Magpie ...

Table of Contents
Abstract .................................................................................................................................... iii
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... v
Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................... vi
List of Tables .......................................................................................................................... viii
List of Figures .......................................................................................................................... ix
Chapter 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Impact and effects of fire .................................................................................................. 1
1.1.1 Effects of Fire on Home Range and Habitat Utilisation ....................................... 3
1.1.2 Effect of Fire on Population Dynamics—Short and Long-term effects ................ 3
1.2 Cooperative breeding ........................................................................................................ 4
1.2.1 Population structures/ dynamics of cooperative breeders ..................................... 6
1.2.2 Cooperative breeding species in fire regimes ....................................................... 6
1.3 General Aims .................................................................................................................... 8
1.3.1 Objectives .............................................................................................................. 8
Chapter 2 Methods ................................................................................................................... 9
2.1 General Information about Cyanopica cyanus .................................................................. 9
2.1.1 Species Description & Classification .................................................................... 9
2.1.2 Species Distribution ............................................................................................ 10
2.1.3 Climate and Habitat ............................................................................................. 13
2.1.4 Diet ...................................................................................................................... 13
2.1.5 Social behaviour .................................................................................................. 14
2.1.6 Breeding biology ................................................................................................. 14
2.1.7 Predators .............................................................................................................. 15
2.2 Study sites and subject .................................................................................................... 16
2.2.1 Study site ............................................................................................................. 16
2.2.2 Cyanopica cyanus in Khonin Nuga, Northern Mongolia .................................... 19
2.3 Methods ........................................................................................................................... 21
2.3.1 Data collection ..................................................................................................... 21
Habitat utilisation ................................................................................................ 21
Activity and plant species utilisation ............................................................ 21
Habitat utilisation ........................................................................................ 23
Radio Tracking ............................................................................................. 23
Population Dynamics .......................................................................................... 25
Nest predation .............................................................................................. 25
Population dynamics .................................................................................... 25
2.3.2 Data analysis ....................................................................................................... 26
Habitat Use .......................................................................................................... 26
Population Dynamics .......................................................................................... 27
Chapter 3 Results ................................................................................................................... 30
3.1 Habitat utilisation ............................................................................................................ 30
3.1.1 Habitat description .............................................................................................. 30
vi