Measuring habitat quality for waterbirds: A review

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 13(4)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2023

Abstract Quantifying habitat quality is dependent on measuring a site's relative contribution to population growth rate. This challenging for studies of waterbirds, whose high mobility can decouple demographic rates from local conditions and make sustained monitoring individuals near‐impossible. To overcome these challenges, biologists have used many direct indirect proxies waterbird quality. However, consensus what methods are most appropriate given scenario lacking. We undertook structured literature review the quantify quality, provide synthesis context‐dependent strengths limitations those methods. Our search Web Science Scopus databases returned sample 666 studies, upon which our was based. The reviewed assessed by either attributes (e.g., food abundance, water vegetation structure), or waterbirds themselves parameters, body condition, behavior, distribution). Measuring attributes, although they only indirectly related rates, has advantage being unaffected behavioral stochasticity. Conversely, waterbird‐derived measures peck rates) may be more directly than variables, but subject greater stochastic variation change due presence conspecifics). Therefore, caution needed ensure that measured variable does influence rates. assumption usually based ecological theory rather empirical evidence. highlighted there no single best, universally applicable method Individual project specifics time frame, spatial scale, funding) will choice variables measured. Where possible, practitioners should measure Generally, multiple yields better chance accurately capturing relationship between characteristics

Язык: Английский

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Citizen science reveals waterfowl responses to extreme winter weather

Global Change Biology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 28(18), С. 5469 - 5479

Опубликована: Июнь 3, 2022

Global climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme climatic events (ECEs) which may be especially detrimental during late-winter when many species are surviving on scarce resources. However, monitoring animal populations relative to ECEs logistically challenging. Crowd-sourced datasets provide opportunity monitor species' responses short-term chance phenomena such as ECEs. We used 14 years eBird-a global citizen science initiative-to examine distribution changes for seven wintering waterfowl across North America in response recent winter polar vortex disruptions. To validate inferences from eBird, we compared eBird against locational data 362 GPS-tagged Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) Mississippi Flyway. Distributional shifts between were similar following an ECE February 2021. In general, affected continental population distributions; however, variable flyways. Waterfowl distributions tended stay near latitudes or moved north at lesser distances with non-ECE years, suggesting preparedness spring migration was a stronger "pull" than weather "push" pressure. Surprisingly, larger-bodied grubbing foraging strategies (i.e., geese) delayed their northward range shift whereas smaller-bodied ducks less affected. Lastly, wetland obligate shifted southward years. Collectively, these results suggest specialized likely related resource limitations, but not body size, necessitate movement waterfowl. Our demonstrate eBird's potential population-level effects events, severe other crowd-sourced can valuable identify adaptable vulnerable thus, begin inform conservation policy management combat negative change.

Язык: Английский

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Toxoplasma gondii: a parasite pollutant in the Arctic

Trends in Parasitology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Июнь 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Ecological and anthropogenic drivers of waterfowl productivity are synchronous across species, space, and time

Ecological Applications, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 34(4)

Опубликована: Май 6, 2024

Knowledge of interspecific and spatiotemporal variation in demography-environment relationships is key for understanding the population dynamics sympatric species developing multispecies conservation strategies. We used hierarchical random-effects models to examine spatial annual productivity six migratory ducks (i.e., American wigeon [Mareca americana], blue-winged teal [Spatula discors], gadwall strepera], green-winged [Anas crecca], mallard platyrhynchos] northern pintail acuta]) across distinct ecostrata Prairie Pothole Region North America. tested whether breeding habitat conditions (seasonal pond counts, agricultural intensification, grassland acreage) or cross-seasonal effects (indexed by flooded rice acreage primary wintering areas) better explained proportion juveniles captured during late summer banding. The productivity) was highly variable within throughout 1961-2019 generally declined through time teal, gadwall, mallard, pintail, wigeon, but there no support a trend teal. Productivity Canadian with increasing intensification increased counts. also found strong effect, whereby more hectares winter resulted higher subsequent productivity. Our results suggest consistent environmental anthropogenic on waterfowl space. study advances our current year duck suite at finer scales, which could help managers target working-lands programs both areas. encourage other researchers evaluate drivers among single modeling framework deeper plans should be generalized customized given limited financial resources.

Язык: Английский

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Herbivory and warming have opposing short‐term effects on plant‐community nutrient levels across high‐Arctic tundra habitats

Journal of Ecology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 111(7), С. 1514 - 1530

Опубликована: Май 11, 2023

Abstract Environmental changes can rapidly alter standing biomass in tundra plant communities; yet, to what extent they modify plant‐community nutrient levels? Nutrient levels and their affect production, cycling rates availability herbivores. We examined how environmental perturbations Arctic leaf concentrations (percentage of dry mass, i.e. resource quality) pools (absolute mass per unit area, quantity). experimentally imposed two different types a high‐Arctic ecosystem Svalbard, spanning three habitats differing soil moisture composition. mimicked both pulse perturbation (a grubbing event by geese spring) press constant level summer warming). After 2 years perturbations, we quantified peak‐season nitrogen phosphorus 1268 samples from the most abundant vascular species. derived community‐weighted total amount nutrients (pools) for whole communities individual functional (PFTs). Spring increased mesic (+13%) wet (+8%), but not moist, habitats, reduced all (moist: −49%; wet, mesic: −31% −37%). Conversely, warming moist (−10% −12%), (+50%). Fast‐growing PFTs exhibited nutrient‐concentration responses, while slow‐growing generally did not. Grubbing enhanced forbs grasses (+20%) horsetails (+19–23%). decreased (−15%) grasses, (−12% −15%). held each PFT were less affected, although responded perturbations. Synthesis . be altered changes, with consequences short‐term process plant‐herbivore interactions. Community‐level responses opposing differed among PFTs. Our findings have implications understand herbivory‐ warming‐induced shifts fine‐scaled distribution quality quantity within across habitats.

Язык: Английский

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Discrimination among similarly colored goose species in federal harvest surveys

Journal of Wildlife Management, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 88(5)

Опубликована: Май 1, 2024

Abstract Each year in the United States, fall‐winter (sport) harvests of goose species are estimated from federal surveys coordinated by States Fish and Wildlife Service, including Migratory Bird Harvest Survey to estimate total harvest Parts Collection (PCS) age composition. For PCS, randomly selected hunters collect tail wing feathers each shot during hunting season, then biologists determine class sample at organized events (Wingbees) 4 flyways (Pacific, Central, Mississippi, Atlantic). similarly colored species, cackling ( Branta hutchinsii ) versus Canada B. canadensis geese (dark geese) Ross's Anser rossii snow A. caerulescens (light geese), different protocols evolved among Wingbees differentiate samples into groupings management interest, leading difficulties estimating species‐level or nationally. We conducted a study 2019–2022 derive thresholds central feather length discriminate between dark light geese. compared morphological‐ genetic‐based approaches. There was support for 2 distinct mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) clades geese, but only corresponded with lengths (morphological size identification). Derived 3 westernmost using species' discrimination were 145 mm adults 134 juveniles, approximately 13 9 less, respectively, than morphological‐based discrimination. limited ability based on either mtDNA lengths. suggest managers use our derived classify PCS samples. More advanced genome analyses should be before changing current Wingbee Lastly, we encourage more studies incorporate genetic complement morphological

Язык: Английский

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Trends in Arctic-nesting loon (Gavia spp.) populations in North America

Polar Biology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 47(10), С. 1001 - 1012

Опубликована: Июль 2, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Geese as keystone species in the Low Arctic of central Canada: the Karrak Lake Research Station

Arctic Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Окт. 7, 2024

True abundance of lesser snow ( Anser caerulescens caerulescens, Linnaeus 1758) and Ross's geese rossii, Cassin 1861, collectively referred to as “light geese”, in North America had been unknown the 1980s. However, different indices suggested steady increases at time. The Karrak Lake Research Station (KLRS) was established partly because it not known if breeding biology from more southern latitudes (the only information available time) representative northern colonies where 90% midcontinent population nested. Visits 1990 confirmed continued importance surrounding areas Canada’s central Arctic a large nesting concentration both documented previously. Key activities KLRS were (1) colony-wide annual monitoring goose performance (2) large-scale marking efforts monitor survival, range-wide abundance, distribution, exploitation rate hunter harvest natural mortality rate. scope research expanded include their interaction with local vegetation other sympatric wildlife, including foxes Vulpes lagopus, 1758), king eiders Somateria spectabilis, long-tailed ducks Clangula hyemalis, cackling Branta hutchinsii). Following exponential growth 1990s 2000s, populations light lake collapsed since 2012, presenting unique opportunity examine how ecosystems recover revert heavy grazing by hyperabundant geese.

Язык: Английский

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As the Goose Flies: Migration Routes and Timing Influence Patterns of Genetic Diversity in a Circumpolar Migratory Herbivore

Diversity, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 14(12), С. 1067 - 1067

Опубликована: Дек. 3, 2022

Migration schedules and the timing of other annual events (e.g., pair formation molt) can affect distribution genetic diversity as much where these occur. The greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) is a circumpolar species, exhibiting temporal spatial variation among populations during cycle. Previous range-wide assessments nuclear genome based on eight microsatellite loci suggest single, largely panmictic population despite up to five subspecies currently recognized phenotypic differences. We used double digest restriction-site associated DNA (ddRAD-seq) mitochondrial (mtDNA) sequence data re-evaluate estimates genomic structure characterize how past present processes have shaped patterns connectivity across Arctic subarctic. uncovered previously undetected inter-population differentiation with clusters corresponding sampling locales current management groups. further observed subtle clustering within each unit that be at least partially explained by directionality migration along behaviors Tule Goose (A. a. elgasi) Greenland flavirostris) showed highest level divergence all investigated. recovery broad fine-scale suggests strong cultural transmission migratory behavior restricts gene flow portions species’ range. Our highlight importance re-evaluating previous conducted small number highly variable markers in phenotypically diverse species.

Язык: Английский

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Subpopulation contributions to a breeding metapopulation of migratory arctic herbivores: survival, fecundity and asymmetric dispersal

Ecography, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 2022(7)

Опубликована: Май 18, 2022

Estimates of demographic parameters for lesser snow geese Anser caerulescens have become critical to understand ecosystem change in northern Canada. Exponential increase abundance has produced hyperdensities these herbivores that can affect Arctic stability through intense foraging. Increased and sustained marking individually‐identifiable over their breeding distribution now permits joint estimation local vital rates movement probabilities among widely scattered subpopulations. We used multi‐state models, including an unobservable state, with live captures from 5 subpopulations dead recoveries estimate annual 1) survival, 2) capture, 3) reported mortality 4) other subpopulations, as well derived estimates site fidelity harvest. Our dataset included 144 719 139 177 marked metal legbands, 2006 2015, which 5542 were recaptured near sites 9709 recovered North America. The best model supported variation survival by subpopulation age, additive effects subpopulation, age sex on probability. Male dispersal was greater than females, juvenile more likely move adults. Strong northeastward geographic asymmetry the probability consistent eastward shift wintering observed hunter recoveries. Mean ranged 0.79 0.94 adults, 0.16 0.47 geese, a strong negative relationship between regional adult survival. Harvest all ≤ 0.03 0.06 suggesting little influence direct anthropogenic exploitation. Metrics persistence contributions each metapopulation suggested declines but one declining Midcontinent population overall. study highlights importance modulators at both range‐wide dynamics.

Язык: Английский

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