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Project Overview

Project Code: LS 10

Project name:

Monitoring the Golden Eagle population

TUM Department:

LS - Forest Science and Resource Management

TUM Chair / Institute:

TUM Campus Weihenstephan / Freising

Research area:

Wildlife Ecology

Student background:

BiologyForestry Science and Resource ManagementMedicine

Further disciplines:

Participation also possible online only:

Planned projet location:

Munich, outside the city enough to reach distribution of golden eagles. Many of these eagles live in high elevation areas that surround Munich

Project Supervisor - Contact Details


Title:

Ms.

Given name:

Kaelyn

Family name:

Makela

E-mail:

k.makela04@gmail.com

Phone:

262-307-4142

Additional Project Supervisor - Contact Details


Title:

Given name:

Family name:

E-mail:

Phone:

Additional Project Supervisor - Contact Details


Title:

Given name:

Family name:

E-mail:

Phone:

Project Description


Project description:

General structure of research

The main goal will be to take a census of the Golden Eagle populations in observed areas. Over time, areas in relatively high elevations of hundreds of kilometers can be observed. Each time a golden eagle is identified, it will be counted. By moving across a landscape, eagles will not likely be counted twice. Even in areas where eagles are not very prevalent, this will give further data towards this distribution and population trends.

Goals of Research

Collecting census data on threatened populations allows effective conservation actions to be taken. The golden eagles abundance and location can be pinpointed and targeted. Further, in analyzing which areas have more eagles, there can be an assessment of what may be threatening them in some areas.

Further Possibilities

Other methods of tracking the golden eagles could also be considered. Wildlife cameras can spot them more consistently and perhaps identify breeding and nesting sites. If several students are assigned to the project, a lot of distance can be covered to survey the populations. Travel to natural landscapes could happen daily or be done on several day trips. All routes traveled would be mapped with each siting.

Importance of Golden Eagles

Golden Eagles are not the only threatened bird population in Germany. But they are more rare in that they are a bird of prey and considered an apex predators in many of their local ecosystems. Such species have a disproportionate impact when lost from an ecosystem in ecological principles of top down control and a trophic cascade. Of course, Golden Eagles are also the national bird of Germany. They are widely recognized and appreciated, and like all species, their population deserves a continued existence.

Working hours per week planned:

40

Prerequisites


Required study level minimum (at time of TUM PREP project start):

2 years of bachelor studies completed

Subject related:

Wildlife Ecology
Biology
Veterinary Medicine

Other:

German

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