Why are osprey monitored at Lake Roosevelt NRA?
Ospreys are a key natural resource at Lake Roosevelt NRA. Ospreys occupy most ecosystems, are migratory, cover large home ranges, and are top predators in complex food webs. Fish constitute their primary diet, so ospreys are susceptible to second-hand environmental contaminants in the food chain. Additionally, ospreys are sensitive to human disturbance, which along with the presence of contaminants in the water, can have a negative effect on osprey reproduction. All of these factors make osprey an indicator species that can provide information on the overall condition of an ecosystem. Data collected by UCBN survey crews and by volunteers will provide important information about the status and trends of osprey nest occupancy and reproductive success, and will help guide park management decisions.
