ECOSYSTEM-BASED MANAGEMENT OF PREDATOR-PREY RELATIONSHIPS: PISCIVOROUS BIRDS AND SALMONIDS.

The article reports on the research conducted by Francis K. Wiese and colleagues on management of predator-prey relationship of birds and salmonids in the Columbia River basin. It shows that predator-prey relationships are altered as a result of human activities. In Columbia River basin, piscivorous predators have been implicated in contributing to lack of recovery of several endangered anadromous salmonids and control systems are instituted against piscine and avian species. Researchers employed the use of bioenergetics approach to estimate the consumption of salmonid smolts by waterbirds. Studies reveal that smolts survival could be maximized by deterring birds from the river when smolts are present, allowing bird presence after the diet switch to act as a tool for predator control.