The productivity rate for the lower Columbia (according to the Oregon
Eagle Foundation) is not correlated to El Nino in any way. It is almost
entirely a function of chemical contaminants.

>
>
>Well, part of the low raptor (particlarly eagle) reproductive numbers has
>to do with the effects of El Nino--statistically, the waters are warmer
>(and usually also muddier, due to the higher rain and flood levels, so the
>eggs that are laid get suffocated). Therefore, fish reproductive levels
>are lower, which resonates to lower reproductive levels for higher trophic
>levels.
>
>-Jacki Bricker
>
>
>On Tue, 10 Feb 1998, Mike Patterson wrote:
>
>> >The $64,000 question. The timing of this thread is great (for me), since
>> >I am working on a list of WA species particularly sensitive to human
>> >impacts. The Bald Eagle was one of the species we had the biggest
>> >arguement over. Assuming DDT continues to be banned in the US, and
>> >whole-sale raptor slaughter continues to be illegal, should the Bald Eagle
>> >be on that list? Numbers in WA are evidently rising or remaining stable
>> >and B. Eagle populations are high.
>> >
>>
>>
>> Wintering populations are up and nesting attempts are up, but productivity,
>> especially in some parts of the PNW are still spotty. Here on the Lower
>> Columbia River, the productivity is half what it is elsewhere in its range.
>> DDE, PCB's, mercury, lead and cadnium are still found at high level in
>> resident birds. If we base de-listing on total population, we may lose the
>> capacity to protect populations that are still in trouble.
>>
>> Scale is a very important component for consideration in biological questions.
>> You can make just about any problem go away if you stand back far enough and
>> if you stand too close you can miss the big picture.
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> *********************************
>> * Mike Patterson, Astoria, OR * 2000 mockingbirds = 2 kilomockingbirds
>> * mpatters at orednet.org *
>> http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters
>>
>
>-Jacki
>
>
>
>
>

--
*********************************
* Mike Patterson, Astoria, OR * 2000 mockingbirds = 2 kilomockingbirds
* mpatters at orednet.org *
http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters