Grazing ecology, parasitism and performance of Soay sheep on St. Kilda

Soay sheep on St. Kilda exhibit complex interactions between diet quality, gastrointestinal parasite burden, and weather conditions that significantly influence their performance and population dynamics. Research reveals that maternal condition, forage quality during gestation, and population density play critical roles in offspring survival and birth weight, highlighting the importance of environmental and competitive factors in large herbivore systems. No evidence of parasite-induced changes in foraging behavior was found, but mean intake rates aligned with those of other Scottish sheep breeds. The study underscores the need for careful consideration of spatial scale in ecological analyses to accurately assess distribution and selectivity patterns.

Jones, O. (2013). Grazing ecology, parasitism and performance of Soay sheep on St. Kilda. Figshare. https://doi.org/10.6084/M9.FIGSHARE.656815.V1