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McDuffie LA, Christie KS, Taylor AR, Nol E, Friis C, Harwood CM, Rausch J, Laliberte B, Gesmundo C, Wright JR, Johnson JA. Flyway‐scale GPS tracking reveals migratory routes and key stopover and non‐breeding locations of lesser yellowlegs. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9495. [DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Katherine S. Christie
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Threatened, Endangered and Diversity Program Anchorage Alaska USA
| | - Audrey R. Taylor
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage Alaska USA
| | - Erica Nol
- Biology Trent University Peterborough Ontario Canada
| | - Christian Friis
- Environment and Climate Change Canada Canadian Wildlife Service Toronto Ontario Canada
| | | | - Jennie Rausch
- Environment and Climate Change Canada Canadian Wildlife Service Yellowknife Northwest Territories Canada
| | - Benoit Laliberte
- Environment and Climate Change Canada Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs Gatineau Quebec Canada
| | - Callie Gesmundo
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Program Anchorage Alaska USA
| | - James R. Wright
- School of Environment and Natural Resources The Ohio State University Columbus Ohio USA
| | - James A. Johnson
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Program Anchorage Alaska USA
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2
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Lamarre JF, Gauthier G, Lanctot RB, Saalfeld ST, Love OP, Reed E, Johnson OW, Liebezeit J, McGuire R, Russell M, Nol E, Koloski L, Sanders F, McKinnon L, Smith PA, Flemming SA, Lecomte N, Giroux MA, Bauer S, Emmenegger T, Bêty J. Timing of Breeding Site Availability Across the North-American Arctic Partly Determines Spring Migration Schedule in a Long-Distance Neotropical Migrant. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.710007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-distance migrants are under strong selection to arrive on their breeding grounds at a time that maximizes fitness. Many arctic birds start nesting shortly after snow recedes from their breeding sites and timing of snowmelt can vary substantially over the breeding range of widespread species. We tested the hypothesis that migration schedules of individuals co-occurring at the same non-breeding areas are adapted to average local environmental conditions encountered at their specific and distant Arctic breeding locations. We predicted that timing of breeding site availability (measured here as the average snow-free date) should explain individual variation in departure time from shared non-breeding areas. We tested our prediction by tracking American Golden-Plovers (Pluvialis dominica) nesting across the North-American Arctic. These plovers use a non-breeding (wintering) area in South America and share a spring stopover area in the nearctic temperate grasslands, located >1,800 km away from their nesting locations. As plovers co-occur at the same non-breeding areas but use breeding sites segregated by latitude and longitude, we could disentangle the potential confounding effects of migration distance and timing of breeding site availability on individual migration schedule. As predicted, departure date of individuals stopping-over in sympatry was positively related to the average snow-free date at their respective breeding location, which was also related to individual onset of incubation. Departure date from the shared stopover area was not explained by the distance between the stopover and the breeding location, nor by the stopover duration of individuals. This strongly suggests that plover migration schedule is adapted to and driven by the timing of breeding site availability per se. The proximate mechanism underlying the variable migration schedule of individuals is unknown and may result from genetic differences or individual learning. Temperatures are currently changing at different speeds across the Arctic and this likely generates substantial heterogeneity in the strength of selection pressure on migratory schedule of arctic birds migrating sympatrically.
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3
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Anderson AM, Friis C, Gratto-Trevor CL, Harris CM, Love OP, Morrison RIG, Prosser SWJ, Nol E, Smith PA. Drought at a coastal wetland affects refuelling and migration strategies of shorebirds. Oecologia 2021; 197:661-674. [PMID: 34657196 PMCID: PMC8585834 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-05047-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Droughts can affect invertebrate communities in wetlands, which can have bottom-up effects on the condition and survival of top predators. Shorebirds, key predators at coastal wetlands, have experienced widespread population declines and could be negatively affected by droughts. We explored, in detail, the effects of drought on multiple aspects of shorebird stopover and migration ecology by contrasting a year with average wet/dry conditions (2016) with a year with moderate drought (2017) at a major subarctic stopover site on southbound migration. We also examined the effects of drought on shorebird body mass during stopover across 14 years (historical: 1974–1982 and present-day: 2014–2018). For the detailed comparison of two years, in the year with moderate drought we documented lower invertebrate abundance at some sites, higher prey family richness in shorebird faecal samples, lower shorebird refuelling rates, shorter stopover durations for juveniles, and, for most species, a higher probability of making a subsequent stopover in North America after departing the subarctic, compared to the year with average wet/dry conditions. In the 14-year dataset, shorebird body mass tended to be lower in drier years. We show that even short-term, moderate drought conditions can negatively affect shorebird refuelling performance at coastal wetlands, which may carry-over to affect subsequent stopover decisions. Given shorebird population declines and predicted changes in the severity and duration of droughts with climate change, researchers should prioritize a better understanding of how droughts affect shorebird refuelling performance and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M Anderson
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada.
| | - Christian Friis
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cheri L Gratto-Trevor
- Prairie and Northern Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, Canada
| | | | - Oliver P Love
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada
| | - R I Guy Morrison
- National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Sean W J Prosser
- Center for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - Erica Nol
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada
| | - Paul A Smith
- National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Canada
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4
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Macdonald AJ, Smith PA, Friis CA, Lyons JE, Aubry Y, Nol E. Stopover Ecology of Red Knots in Southwestern James Bay During Southbound Migration. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amelia J. Macdonald
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program Trent University 1600 West Bank Drive Peterborough ON K9L 0G2 Canada
| | - Paul A. Smith
- National Wildlife Research Centre Environment and Climate Change Canada 1125 Colonel By Drive Ottawa ON K1A 0H3 Canada
| | - Christian A. Friis
- Canadian Wildlife Service Environment and Climate Change Canada 4905 Dufferin Street Toronto ON M3H 5T4 Canada
| | - James E. Lyons
- U.S. Geological Survey Patuxent Wildlife Research Center 12100 Beech Forest Road Laurel MD 20708 USA
| | - Yves Aubry
- Canadian Wildlife Service Environment and Climate Change Canada 801–1550 d'Estimauville Avenue Québec QC G1J 0C3 Canada
| | - Erica Nol
- Department of Biology Trent University 2140 East Bank Drive Peterborough ON K9L 0G2 Canada
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5
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Abstract
Vegetation communities in the subarctic are at risk of change due to climate-driven tree and shrub encroachment. Vegetation change may lead to unsuitable habitat for arctic-breeding birds, many of whom are declining. Although many possible factors are contributing to their decline, loss of breeding habitat could be a major contributor. We examined nest-site selection in Dunlin (Calidris alpina hudsonia (Todd, 1953)), a shorebird that nests in open fen habitats in the Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, region. Our objective was to determine whether this species avoids treed habitats and the possible fitness consequences for this. We examined the role of vegetative horizontal and vertical concealments on nest-site selection and nest fate. Dunlin selected nest sites with lower densities of trees than present at unused sites (40 m radius). Both horizontal and vertical concealments were significantly greater at nests than at unused sites, and horizontal concealment was greatest in the north. No measure of tree density or height, or concealment, significantly predicted nest fate. Although Dunlin appear to select nest sites that may minimize exposure to northerly winds and that may provide cover against potential predators, the current nest-site characteristics are not reinforced by contemporary selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- G.I. Holmes
- Environment and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - L. Koloski
- Environment and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - E. Nol
- Biology Department, Trent University, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
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6
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McClenaghan B, Kerr KC, Nol E. Does prey availability affect the reproductive performance of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) breeding in Ontario, Canada? CAN J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2019-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Animal populations are often limited by food availability, particularly during the breeding season. In birds, food limitation can impact several components of the reproductive cycle, including the timing of reproduction and reproductive output. Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica Linnaeus, 1758) have experienced a population decline over the past 40 years in North America that is thought to be related to changes in prey availability. We monitored Barn Swallow reproductive behaviour and prey availability throughout two breeding seasons at 10 sites in Ontario, Canada, to test the hypothesis that limited prey availability during the breeding season affected reproductive behaviour. We found no relationship between food availability and number of eggs laid or number of young fledged. Neither did we observe higher rates of second brooding or more pairs nesting at breeding sites with higher food availability. Barn Swallows did not time their reproductive effort to maximize prey availability during the nesting period, but any mismatch in phenology of prey and bird reproduction at a breeding site was not associated with lower reproductive success. The results of this study did not support our hypothesis and suggest that Barn Swallow reproductive behaviour was not negatively affected by limited prey availability on the breeding grounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverly McClenaghan
- Environmental and Life Sciences Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Kevin C.R. Kerr
- Environmental and Life Sciences Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Toronto, ON M1B 5K7, Canada
| | - Erica Nol
- Department of Biology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
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7
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Flemming SA, Nol E, Kennedy LV, Bédard A, Giroux MA, Smith PA. Spatio-temporal responses of predators to hyperabundant geese affect risk of predation for sympatric-nesting species. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221727. [PMID: 31461483 PMCID: PMC6713384 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Arctic is undergoing rapid changes, with anthropogenic shifts in climate having important and well-documented impacts on habitat. Populations of predators and their prey are affected by changing climate and other anthropogenic factors, and these changing trophic interactions could have profound effects on breeding populations of Arctic birds. Variable abundance of lemmings (a primary prey of generalist Arctic predators) and increasing abundance of light geese (Lesser Snow and Ross' Geese; a secondary prey) could have negative consequences for numerous sympatric shorebirds (an incidental prey). Using 16 years of predator-prey observations and 13-years of shorebird nest survival data at a site near a goose colony we identify relationships among geese, lemmings, and their shared predators and then relate predator indices to shorebird risk of nest predation. During two years, we also placed time-lapse cameras and artificial shorebird nests at increasing distances from a goose colony to document spatial trends in predators and their effect on risk of predation. In the long-term data, yearly indices of light geese positively influenced indices of gulls and jaegers, and shorebird nest predation rate was negatively correlated with jaeger and fox indices. All three predator indices were highest near the goose colony and artificial nest predation probability was negatively correlated with distance from goose colony, but these effects were less apparent during the second year. Combined, these results highlight the variation in predator-mediated interactions between geese and shorebirds and outline one mechanism by which hyperabundant geese may be contributing to local or regional declines in Arctic-nesting shorebird populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A. Flemming
- Environmental and Life Sciences, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Erica Nol
- Biology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa V. Kennedy
- Environmental and Life Sciences, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Audrey Bédard
- Departement de Chimie et de Biochimie, Universite de Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Marie-Andrée Giroux
- Departement de Chimie et de Biochimie, Universite de Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Paul A. Smith
- National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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8
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Kwon E, Weiser EL, Lanctot RB, Brown SC, Gates HR, Gilchrist G, Kendall SJ, Lank DB, Liebezeit JR, McKinnon L, Nol E, Payer DC, Rausch J, Rinella DJ, Saalfeld ST, Senner NR, Smith PA, Ward D, Wisseman RW, Sandercock BK. Geographic variation in the intensity of warming and phenological mismatch between Arctic shorebirds and invertebrates. ECOL MONOGR 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eunbi Kwon
- Division of Biology Kansas State University Manhattan Kansas 66506 USA
| | - Emily L. Weiser
- Division of Biology Kansas State University Manhattan Kansas 66506 USA
| | - Richard B. Lanctot
- Migratory Bird Management U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Anchorage Alaska 99503 USA
| | - Stephen C. Brown
- Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences Manomet Massachusetts 02345 USA
| | - Heather R. Gates
- Migratory Bird Management U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Anchorage Alaska 99503 USA
- Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences Manomet Massachusetts 02345 USA
| | - Grant Gilchrist
- Environment and Climate Change Canada National Wildlife Research Centre Carleton University Ottawa Ontario K1A 0H3 Canada
| | - Steve J. Kendall
- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fairbanks Alaska 99701 USA
| | - David B. Lank
- Department of Biological Sciences Simon Fraser University Burnaby British Columbia V3H 3S6 Canada
| | | | - Laura McKinnon
- Department of Biology Trent University Peterborough Ontario K9J 7B8 Canada
| | - Erica Nol
- Department of Biology Trent University Peterborough Ontario K9J 7B8 Canada
| | - David C. Payer
- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fairbanks Alaska 99701 USA
| | - Jennie Rausch
- Canadian Wildlife Service Yellowknife Northwest Territories X1A 2P7 Canada
| | - Daniel J. Rinella
- Alaska Center for Conservation Science and Department of Biological Sciences University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage Alaska 99508 USA
| | - Sarah T. Saalfeld
- Migratory Bird Management U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Anchorage Alaska 99503 USA
| | - Nathan R. Senner
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology Cornell University Ithaca New York 14850 USA
| | - Paul A. Smith
- Environment and Climate Change Canada Wildlife Research Division Ottawa Ontario K1A 0H3 Canada
| | - David Ward
- US Geological Survey Anchorage Alaska 99508 USA
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9
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Anderson AM, Duijns S, Smith PA, Friis C, Nol E. Migration Distance and Body Condition Influence Shorebird Migration Strategies and Stopover Decisions During Southbound Migration. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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10
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Duijns S, Anderson AM, Aubry Y, Dey A, Flemming SA, Francis CM, Friis C, Gratto-Trevor C, Hamilton DJ, Holberton R, Koch S, McKellar AE, Mizrahi D, Morrissey CA, Neima SG, Newstead D, Niles L, Nol E, Paquet J, Rausch J, Tudor L, Turcotte Y, Smith PA. Long-distance migratory shorebirds travel faster towards their breeding grounds, but fly faster post-breeding. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9420. [PMID: 31263125 PMCID: PMC6603026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45862-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-distance migrants are assumed to be more time-limited during the pre-breeding season compared to the post-breeding season. Although breeding-related time constraints may be absent post-breeding, additional factors such as predation risk could lead to time constraints that were previously underestimated. By using an automated radio telemetry system, we compared pre- and post-breeding movements of long-distance migrant shorebirds on a continent-wide scale. From 2014 to 2016, we deployed radio transmitters on 1,937 individuals of 4 shorebird species at 13 sites distributed across North America. Following theoretical predictions, all species migrated faster during the pre-breeding season, compared to the post-breeding season. These differences in migration speed between seasons were attributable primarily to longer stopover durations in the post-breeding season. In contrast, and counter to our expectations, all species had higher airspeeds during the post-breeding season, even after accounting for seasonal differences in wind. Arriving at the breeding grounds in good body condition is beneficial for survival and reproductive success and this energetic constraint might explain why airspeeds are not maximised in the pre-breeding season. We show that the higher airspeeds in the post-breeding season precede a wave of avian predators, which could suggest that migrant shorebirds show predation-minimizing behaviour during the post-breeding season. Our results reaffirm the important role of time constraints during northward migration and suggest that both energy and predation-risk constrain migratory behaviour during the post-breeding season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjoerd Duijns
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada. .,Environment and Climate Change Canada, Wildlife Research Division, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Alexandra M Anderson
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Yves Aubry
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Amanda Dey
- Endangered and Nongame Species, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Trenton, USA
| | - Scott A Flemming
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Charles M Francis
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Christian Friis
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cheri Gratto-Trevor
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Branch, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Diana J Hamilton
- Department of Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, Canada
| | - Rebecca Holberton
- Lab of Avian Biology, Department of Biology & Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Stephanie Koch
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Sudbury, MA, USA
| | - Ann E McKellar
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | | | - Christy A Morrissey
- Department of Biology and School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, SK, Canada
| | - Sarah G Neima
- Department of Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, Canada
| | - David Newstead
- Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program (CBBEP), Corpus Christi, TX, USA
| | - Larry Niles
- Wildlife Restoration Partnerships LLC, Greenwich, NJ, USA
| | - Erica Nol
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Julie Paquet
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Sackville, NB, Canada
| | - Jennie Rausch
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Yellowknife, NT, Canada
| | - Lindsay Tudor
- Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Bangor, ME, USA
| | - Yves Turcotte
- Département des sciences et techniques biologiques, Collège de La Pocatière, La Pocatière, QC, Canada
| | - Paul A Smith
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Wildlife Research Division, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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11
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A. Flemming
- Environmental and Life Sciences Trent University Peterborough Ontario Canada
| | - Paul A. Smith
- Wildlife Research Division Environment and Climate Change Canada Ottawa Ontario Canada
| | - Jennie Rausch
- Canadian Wildlife Service Environment and Climate Change Canada Yellowknife Northwest Territories Canada
| | - Erica Nol
- Biology Department Trent University Peterborough Ontario Canada
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12
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Bulla M, Reneerkens J, Weiser EL, Sokolov A, Taylor AR, Sittler B, McCaffery BJ, Ruthrauff DR, Catlin DH, Payer DC, Ward DH, Solovyeva DV, Santos ESA, Rakhimberdiev E, Nol E, Kwon E, Brown GS, Hevia GD, Gates HR, Johnson JA, van Gils JA, Hansen J, Lamarre JF, Rausch J, Conklin JR, Liebezeit J, Bêty J, Lang J, Alves JA, Fernández-Elipe J, Exo KM, Bollache L, Bertellotti M, Giroux MA, van de Pol M, Johnson M, Boldenow ML, Valcu M, Soloviev M, Sokolova N, Senner NR, Lecomte N, Meyer N, Schmidt NM, Gilg O, Smith PA, Machín P, McGuire RL, Cerboncini RAS, Ottvall R, van Bemmelen RSA, Swift RJ, Saalfeld ST, Jamieson SE, Brown S, Piersma T, Albrecht T, D'Amico V, Lanctot RB, Kempenaers B. Comment on "Global pattern of nest predation is disrupted by climate change in shorebirds". Science 2019; 364:364/6445/eaaw8529. [PMID: 31196986 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw8529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Kubelka et al (Reports, 9 November 2018, p. 680) claim that climate change has disrupted patterns of nest predation in shorebirds. They report that predation rates have increased since the 1950s, especially in the Arctic. We describe methodological problems with their analyses and argue that there is no solid statistical support for their claims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Bulla
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany. .,NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Coastal Systems and Utrecht University, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, Netherlands.,Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, 16521 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jeroen Reneerkens
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Coastal Systems and Utrecht University, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, Netherlands.,Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, 9700 CC Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Emily L Weiser
- Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, U.S. Geological Survey, La Crosse, WI 54603, USA
| | - Aleksandr Sokolov
- Arctic Research Station, Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, 629400 Labytnangi, Russia
| | - Audrey R Taylor
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Alaska, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Benoît Sittler
- Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.,Arctic Ecology Research Group (GREA), F-21440 Francheville, France
| | - Brian J McCaffery
- Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Grand View, WI 54839, USA
| | - Dan R Ruthrauff
- Alaska Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Daniel H Catlin
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - David C Payer
- Natural Resource Sciences, National Park Service, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA
| | - David H Ward
- Alaska Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Diana V Solovyeva
- Institute of Biological Problems of the North, FEB RAS, Magadan 685000, Russia
| | - Eduardo S A Santos
- BECO do Departamento de Zoologia, Rua do Matão, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-090 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eldar Rakhimberdiev
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, 9700 CC Groningen, Netherlands.,Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Erica Nol
- Biology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Eunbi Kwon
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Glen S Brown
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Peterborough, ON K9L 1Z8, Canada
| | - Glenda D Hevia
- Grupo de Ecofisiología Aplicada al Manejo y Conservación de Fauna Silvestre, Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR)-CCT CONICET-CENPAT, 9120 Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | - H River Gates
- Pacific Flyway Program, National Audubon Society, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA
| | - James A Johnson
- Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA
| | - Jan A van Gils
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Coastal Systems and Utrecht University, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, Netherlands
| | - Jannik Hansen
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Jean-François Lamarre
- Science & Technology Program, Polar Knowledge Canada, Cambridge Bay, NU X0B 0C0, Canada
| | - Jennie Rausch
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, P.O. Box 2310, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2P7, Canada
| | - Jesse R Conklin
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, 9700 CC Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Joe Liebezeit
- Audubon Society of Portland, Portland, OR 97210, USA
| | - Joël Bêty
- Department of Biology and Center for Northern Studies, University of Quebec, Rimouski, QC G5L 3A1, Canada
| | - Johannes Lang
- Arctic Ecology Research Group (GREA), F-21440 Francheville, France.,Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish/Working Group for Wildlife Biology, Giessen University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - José A Alves
- DBIO & CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.,South Iceland Research Centre, University of Iceland, Fjolheimar IS-800 Selfoss & IS-861 Gunnarsholt, Iceland
| | | | - Klaus-Michael Exo
- Institute of Avian Research "Vogelwarte Helgoland," 26386 Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Loïc Bollache
- Laboratoire Chrono-environnement, Université de Franche-Comté, UMR 6249 CNRS-UFC, F-25000 Besançon, France
| | - Marcelo Bertellotti
- Grupo de Ecofisiología Aplicada al Manejo y Conservación de Fauna Silvestre, Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR)-CCT CONICET-CENPAT, 9120 Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | | | - Martijn van de Pol
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), 6708PB Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Matthew Johnson
- Plumas National Forest, USDA Forest Service, Quincy, CA 95971, USA
| | - Megan L Boldenow
- Biology and Wildlife Department, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - Mihai Valcu
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Mikhail Soloviev
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalya Sokolova
- Arctic Research Station, Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, 629400 Labytnangi, Russia
| | - Nathan R Senner
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Nicolas Lecomte
- Department of Biology, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada
| | - Nicolas Meyer
- Arctic Ecology Research Group (GREA), F-21440 Francheville, France.,Laboratoire Chrono-environnement, Université de Franche-Comté, UMR 6249 CNRS-UFC, F-25000 Besançon, France
| | - Niels Martin Schmidt
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.,Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Olivier Gilg
- Arctic Ecology Research Group (GREA), F-21440 Francheville, France.,Laboratoire Chrono-environnement, Université de Franche-Comté, UMR 6249 CNRS-UFC, F-25000 Besançon, France
| | - Paul A Smith
- National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | | | - Rebecca L McGuire
- Arctic Beringia Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA
| | | | | | | | - Rose J Swift
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Sarah T Saalfeld
- Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA
| | - Sarah E Jamieson
- Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Stephen Brown
- Shorebird Recovery Program, Manomet Inc., P.O. Box 545, Saxtons River, VT 05154, USA
| | - Theunis Piersma
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Coastal Systems and Utrecht University, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, Netherlands.,Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, 9700 CC Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Tomas Albrecht
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 60300 Brno, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Verónica D'Amico
- Grupo de Ecofisiología Aplicada al Manejo y Conservación de Fauna Silvestre, Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR)-CCT CONICET-CENPAT, 9120 Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | - Richard B Lanctot
- Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA
| | - Bart Kempenaers
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany.
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Anderson AM, Friis C, Gratto-Trevor CL, Morrison RIG, Smith PA, Nol E. Consistent declines in wing lengths of Calidridine sandpipers suggest a rapid morphometric response to environmental change. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213930. [PMID: 30943247 PMCID: PMC6447156 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A recent study demonstrated that semipalmated sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) wing lengths have shortened from the 1980s to the present-day. We examined alternative and untested hypotheses for this change at an important stopover site, James Bay, Ontario, Canada. We evaluated morphometric patterns in wing length and bill length by age and sex, when possible, and assessed if wing shape has also changed during this time-period. We investigated patterns of morphological change in two additional Calidridine sandpipers, white-rumped sandpipers (Calidris fuscicollis) and least sandpipers (Calidris minutilla), to determine if shorter wing lengths are a widespread pattern in small sandpipers. We also examined allometric changes in wing and bill lengths to clarify if wing length declines were consistent with historical scaling relationships and indicative of a change in body size instead of only wing length change. We found that including sex and wing shape in analyses revealed important patterns in morphometric change for semipalmated sandpipers. Wing lengths declined for both sexes, but the magnitude of decline was smaller and not significant for males. Additionally, semipalmated sandpiper wings have become more convex, a shape that increases maneuverability in flight. Wing lengths, but not bill lengths, declined for most species and age classes, a pattern that was inconsistent with historical allometric scaling relationships. For juvenile semipalmated sandpipers, however, both bill and wing lengths declined according to historical scaling relationships, which could be a consequence of nutritional stress during development or a shift in the proportion of birds from smaller-sized, western breeding populations. Except for juvenile semipalmated sandpipers, we did not find evidence for an increase in the proportion of birds from different breeding populations at the stopover site. Given the wide, hemispheric distribution of these sandpipers throughout their annual cycles, our results, paired with those from a previous study, provide evidence for wide-spread reduction in wing lengths of Calidridine sandpipers since the 1980s. The shorter wing lengths and more convex wing shapes found in this study support the hypothesis that selection has favored more maneuverable wing morphology in small sandpipers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M. Anderson
- Trent University, Environmental and Life Sciences, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Christian Friis
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cheri L. Gratto-Trevor
- Prairie and Northern Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - R. I. Guy Morrison
- National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul A. Smith
- National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Erica Nol
- Trent University, Biology Department, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Flemming SA, Nol E, Kennedy LV, Smith PA. Hyperabundant herbivores limit habitat availability and influence nest site selection of Arctic‐breeding birds. J Appl Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Scott A. Flemming
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate ProgramTrent University Peterborough ON Canada
| | - Erica Nol
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate ProgramTrent University Peterborough ON Canada
| | - Lisa V. Kennedy
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate ProgramTrent University Peterborough ON Canada
| | - Paul A. Smith
- Wildlife Research DivisionEnvironment and Climate Change Canada Ottawa ON Canada
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15
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Abstract
We examined diet of nonbreeding Semipalmated Plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus Bonaparte, 1825) in the Cumberland Island estuary, Georgia, USA, through fecal sample analysis. We also examined prey size selectivity by Semipalmated Plovers for the most common prey item found in the fecal samples, which are polychaetes in the family Nereidae (= Nereididae). We compared the size distribution of polychaetes in Semipalmated Plover fecal samples from salt marshes and mudflats with the size distribution of polychaetes sampled from the two habitats. Semipalmated Plovers foraging on mudflats had less variable diets than those foraging on salt marshes, although the mean number of prey per Semipalmated Plover fecal sample was similar between the two habitats. Size selectivity by Semipalmated Plovers of nereid (= nereidid) polychaetes varied as a function of habitat, with Semipalmated Plovers eating larger polychaetes in salt marshes than in mudflats, although in both habitats Semipalmated Plovers avoided extremely small and (or) large ones. Semipalmated Plovers took fewer of the available prey groups and were more selective in sizes of the dominant prey group on mudflats, where prey densities were the highest. These observations are consistent with predictions from optimal foraging theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Rose
- Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Environmental Science Building, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Lisa Pollock
- Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Environmental Science Building, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Erica Nol
- Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Environmental Science Building, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
- Department of Biology, Life and Health Science Building, Trent University, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
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16
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Murchison CR, Zharikov Y, Nol E. Human Activity and Habitat Characteristics Influence Shorebird Habitat Use and Behavior at a Vancouver Island Migratory Stopover Site. Environ Manage 2016; 58:386-398. [PMID: 27357808 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-016-0727-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, has 16 km of coastal beaches that attract many thousands of people and shorebirds (S.O. Charadrii) every year. To identify locations where shorebirds concentrate and to determine the impact of human activity and habitat characteristics on shorebirds, we conducted shorebird and visitor surveys at 20 beach sectors (across 20 total km of beach) during fall migration in 2011-2014 and spring migration in 2012 and 2013. Using zero-inflated negative binomial regression and a model selection approach, we found that beach width and number of people influenced shorebird use of beach sectors (Bayesian information criterion weight of top model = 0.69). Shorebird absence from beaches was associated with increasing number of people (parameter estimate from top model: 0.38; 95 % CI 0.19, 0.57) and decreasing beach width (parameter estimate: -0.32; 95 % CI -0.47, -0.17). Shorebirds spent more time at wider beaches (parameter estimate: 0.68; 95 % CI 0.49, 0.87). Close proximity to people increased the proportion of time shorebirds spent moving, while shorebirds spent more time moving and less time foraging on wider beaches than on narrower ones. Shorebird disturbance increased with proximity of people, activity speed, and presence of dogs. Based on our findings, management options, for reducing shorebird disturbance at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and similar shorebird stopover areas, include mandatory buffer distances between people and shorebirds, restrictions on fast-moving activities (e.g., running, biking), prohibiting dogs, and seasonal closures of wide beach sections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen R Murchison
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7B8, Canada.
- Nunavut Field Unit, Parks Canada, Box 278, Iqaluit, NU, X0A 0H0, Canada.
| | - Yuri Zharikov
- Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Box 280, Ucluelet, BC, V0R 3A0, Canada
| | - Erica Nol
- Biology Department and Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9L 0G2, Canada
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17
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Weiser EL, Lanctot RB, Brown SC, Alves JA, Battley PF, Bentzen R, Bêty J, Bishop MA, Boldenow M, Bollache L, Casler B, Christie M, Coleman JT, Conklin JR, English WB, Gates HR, Gilg O, Giroux MA, Gosbell K, Hassell C, Helmericks J, Johnson A, Katrínardóttir B, Koivula K, Kwon E, Lamarre JF, Lang J, Lank DB, Lecomte N, Liebezeit J, Loverti V, McKinnon L, Minton C, Mizrahi D, Nol E, Pakanen VM, Perz J, Porter R, Rausch J, Reneerkens J, Rönkä N, Saalfeld S, Senner N, Sittler B, Smith PA, Sowl K, Taylor A, Ward DH, Yezerinac S, Sandercock BK. Effects of geolocators on hatching success, return rates, breeding movements, and change in body mass in 16 species of Arctic-breeding shorebirds. Mov Ecol 2016; 4:12. [PMID: 27134752 PMCID: PMC4850671 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-016-0077-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Geolocators are useful for tracking movements of long-distance migrants, but potential negative effects on birds have not been well studied. We tested for effects of geolocators (0.8-2.0 g total, representing 0.1-3.9 % of mean body mass) on 16 species of migratory shorebirds, including five species with 2-4 subspecies each for a total of 23 study taxa. Study species spanned a range of body sizes (26-1091 g) and eight genera, and were tagged at 23 breeding and eight nonbreeding sites. We compared breeding performance and return rates of birds with geolocators to control groups while controlling for potential confounding variables. RESULTS We detected negative effects of tags for three small-bodied species. Geolocators reduced annual return rates for two of 23 taxa: by 63 % for semipalmated sandpipers and by 43 % for the arcticola subspecies of dunlin. High resighting effort for geolocator birds could have masked additional negative effects. Geolocators were more likely to negatively affect return rates if the total mass of geolocators and color markers was 2.5-5.8 % of body mass than if tags were 0.3-2.3 % of body mass. Carrying a geolocator reduced nest success by 42 % for semipalmated sandpipers and tripled the probability of partial clutch failure in semipalmated and western sandpipers. Geolocators mounted perpendicular to the leg on a flag had stronger negative effects on nest success than geolocators mounted parallel to the leg on a band. However, parallel-band geolocators were more likely to reduce return rates and cause injuries to the leg. No effects of geolocators were found on breeding movements or changes in body mass. Among-site variation in geolocator effect size was high, suggesting that local factors were important. CONCLUSIONS Negative effects of geolocators occurred only for three of the smallest species in our dataset, but were substantial when present. Future studies could mitigate impacts of tags by reducing protruding parts and minimizing use of additional markers. Investigators could maximize recovery of tags by strategically deploying geolocators on males, previously marked individuals, and successful breeders, though targeting subsets of a population could bias the resulting migratory movement data in some species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L. Weiser
- />Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS USA
| | | | | | - José A. Alves
- />CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
- />South Iceland Research Centre, University of Iceland, Selfoss, Iceland
| | - Phil F. Battley
- />Ecology Group, Institute of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | | | - Joël Bêty
- />Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie and Centre d’Études Nordiques, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC Canada
| | | | - Megan Boldenow
- />Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK USA
| | - Loïc Bollache
- />Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
- />Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement UMR CNRS 6249, Besançon, France
- />Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, Francheville, France
| | | | | | | | - Jesse R. Conklin
- />Chair in Global Flyway Ecology, Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Willow B. English
- />Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC Canada
| | - H. River Gates
- />US Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK USA
- />Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, Manomet, MA USA
- />ABR, Inc. - Environmental Research and Services, Anchorage, AK USA
| | - Olivier Gilg
- />Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, Francheville, France
- />Laboratoire Biogéoscience, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Marie-Andrée Giroux
- />Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie and Centre d’Études Nordiques, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC Canada
- />Canada Research Chair in Polar and Boreal Ecology, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB Canada
| | - Ken Gosbell
- />Victorian Wader Study Group, Victoria, Australia
- />Australasian Wader Studies Group, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chris Hassell
- />Australasian Wader Studies Group, Victoria, Australia
- />Global Flyway Network, Broome, WA Australia
| | | | - Andrew Johnson
- />Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY USA
| | | | - Kari Koivula
- />Department of Ecology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Eunbi Kwon
- />Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS USA
| | - Jean-Francois Lamarre
- />Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie and Centre d’Études Nordiques, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC Canada
| | - Johannes Lang
- />Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, Francheville, France
- />Institute of Animal Ecology and Nature Education, Gonterskirchen, Germany
| | - David B. Lank
- />Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC Canada
| | - Nicolas Lecomte
- />Canada Research Chair in Polar and Boreal Ecology, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB Canada
| | | | | | - Laura McKinnon
- />Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, ON Canada
- />Department of Multidisciplinary Studies, York University Glendon Campus, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Clive Minton
- />Victorian Wader Study Group, Victoria, Australia
- />Australasian Wader Studies Group, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Erica Nol
- />Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, ON Canada
| | | | - Johanna Perz
- />Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, ON Canada
| | - Ron Porter
- />Delaware Bay Shorebird Project, Ambler, PA USA
| | | | - Jeroen Reneerkens
- />Chair in Global Flyway Ecology, Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- />Arctic Research Centre, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Nelli Rönkä
- />Department of Ecology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | | | | | - Benoît Sittler
- />Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, Francheville, France
- />Institut für Landespflege, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Kristine Sowl
- />Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bethel, AK USA
| | - Audrey Taylor
- />Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK USA
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18
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Vance CC, Nol E. Temporal effects of selection logging on ground beetle communities in northern hardwood forests of eastern Canada. Écoscience 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/11956860.2003.11682750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Leblanc JP, Burke DM, Nol E. Erratum: Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) demography and nest-site selection in response to single-tree selection silviculture in a northern hardwood managed forest landscape. Écoscience 2015. [DOI: 10.2980/18-1-3381e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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20
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Leblanc JP, Burke DM, Nol E. Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) demography and nest-site selection in response to single-tree selection silviculture in a northern hardwood managed forest landscape. Écoscience 2015. [DOI: 10.2980/18-1-3381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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21
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Miller V, Nol E, Nguyen LP, Turner DM. Habitat selection and nest success of the Upland Sandpiper ( Bartramia longicauda) in Ivvavik National Park, Yukon, Canada. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.22621/cfn.v128i4.1627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) is a grassland shorebird species associated primarily with prairie habitats in central North America. A disjunct and poorly studied population also occurs in Yukon, Canada, and Alaska, United States. We studied habitat selection of nesting Upland Sandpipers in Ivvavik National Park, Yukon, at the scales of microhabitat (1-m radius around nest) and putative home range (11.3-m radius plots at nests and within 50 m of nest). At the microhabitat scale, the Upland Sandpiper selected nest sites with lower visibility from above than that of their home range (median 91.5%, range 70–98% versus median 99.0%, range 85–100%) and less-variable composition of vegetation than at random sites within the home range. Vegetation adjacent to the nest in the eastern quadrat was significantly shorter (mean ± standard error: 10.6 ± 1.55 cm) than that in other directions around the nest (> 13 cm); nest sites and microsites within home ranges were more often hummocky than random sites in the park. At the mesohabitat scale, Upland Sandpipers selected sites within home ranges with fewer trees than random sites within the park (10.3 ± 3.0 trees per 11.3-m-radius plot around nest versus 32.9 ± 5.9 trees per 11.3-m-radius plot in the park) and greater herbaceous cover (70.7% ± 3.0% versus 56.2% ± 3.7%). Despite the disproportionate use of sites with fewer trees, more herbaceous cover, and lower vertical visibility, these factors did not relate to nest success in our sample. Of the 24 nests found in 2010 and 2011, 22 contained four eggs and 2 contained three eggs. Upland Sandpipers at this high latitude site had a nesting success rate of 0.85 ± 0.01 and 0.56 ± 0.01 in 2010 and 2011, respectively, for a 21-day incubation period. Further assessment of the selected characteristics of nesting sites will improve our ability to predict the effects of northward shrub and tree encroachment on this grassland species.
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23
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Leshyk R, Nol E, Chin EH, Burness G. Adult Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) show increased stress-responsiveness in logged forests. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2013; 194:295-9. [PMID: 24140427 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2013.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2013] [Revised: 09/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Forest harvesting is a form of anthropogenic disturbance, yet the effects of such disturbance on the endocrine physiology of wildlife have been infrequently studied. We investigated the effect of two methods of forest harvesting ('intensive' and 'typical' group-selection silviculture) and un-harvested control sites on the glucocorticoid levels of adult Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla), a forest interior bird species. We collected blood samples from adult males immediately after capture to examine baseline corticosterone, and then following a standardized capture and restraint protocol, to examine stress-induced levels. There was no significant repeatability in either baseline or stress-induced corticosterone levels for eleven individuals measured in both years of study. Despite no differences across harvesting treatments in male body mass or baseline corticosterone levels, males captured in sites subjected to intensive harvesting had significantly higher stress-induced corticosterone levels than males in other treatments. Currently, the mechanism driving differences in stress-reactivity is unknown although we hypothesize that the size of gaps resulting from intensive group-selection silviculture may increase perceived predation risk. In comparison to our previous work on nestling Ovenbirds, adults respond differently to stress from group-selection silviculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhiannon Leshyk
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
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24
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Nguyen LP, Nol E, Abraham KF, Lishman C. Directional selection and repeatability in nest-site preferences of Semipalmated Plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus). CAN J ZOOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2013-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Using marked individuals, we assessed directional selection and repeatability of nest-site characteristics of Semipalmated Plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus Bonaparte, 1825) on Akimiski Island, Nunavut, Canada, 2002–2005, to test the hypothesis that long- and short-term selection patterns were in the same direction. Plovers placed nests in microsites (1 m2 scale) with more pebbles and less bare mud and vegetation than what was available in the environment, indicating long-term selection for these features. Linear (directional selection) effects were stronger than quadratic (stabilizing or disruptive) effects in 3 of 4 years and in the analysis of all data. In the combined 4-year sample, significant directional selection occurred in the opposite direction than that present when comparing used and available sites. Birds with more bare mud and vegetation and fewer pebbles at their nest sites were more successful than birds with pebbled nest sites. Repeatability of nest-site preferences was low and nonsignificant. Neither successful nor unsuccessful pairs chose significantly different nest-site characteristics in subsequent nesting attempts, but options for moving to different nest sites may be limited by interannual site fidelity. Wide individual variability and low repeatability of nest-site characteristics suggests behavioral flexibility in the population. Applying quantitative genetic techniques to patterns of habitat selection may allow researchers to predict the degree to which animals can adjust to changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linh P. Nguyen
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Erica Nol
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Department of Biology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Kenneth F. Abraham
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Carmen Lishman
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
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Storm-Suke A, Wassenaar LI, Nol E, Norris DR. The influence of metabolic rate on the contribution of stable-hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in drinking water to quail blood plasma and feathers. Funct Ecol 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2012.02014.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Storm-Suke
- Department of Biology; Trent University; 1600 West Bank Drive; Peterborough; ON; Canada; K9J 7B8
| | | | - Erica Nol
- Department of Biology; Trent University; 1600 West Bank Drive; Peterborough; ON; Canada; K9J 7B8
| | - D. Ryan Norris
- Department of Integrative Biology; University of Guelph; Guelph; ON; Canada; N1G 2W1
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Abstract
Reproductive success of songbirds breeding in forest fragments can be influenced by local habitat characteristics and by anthropogenic land uses in the surrounding matrix such as exurban development and agriculture. Effectively managing these songbirds requires an understanding of which spatial scales most strongly influence their demography. We conducted a multiscale study to investigate the relative influence of local vegetation characteristics and landscape composition at two spatial scales (100 and 2000 m) in a predominantly agricultural landscape on songbird demography. Density, pairing success, nest success, and productivity were assessed for Ovenbirds ( Seiurus aurocapilla (L., 1766)), Wood Thrush ( Hylocichla mustelina (J.F. Gmelin, 1789)), and American Robins ( Turdus migratorius L., 1766) in 16 deciduous forest fragments in southeastern Ontario. Demography of Ovenbirds was most strongly associated with local vegetation characteristics, while demography of Wood Thrush and American Robins was most strongly related to landscape composition within a 2000 m buffer. For all three species, cross-scale correlations influenced nest success, although other demographic parameters were less affected. We conclude that relationships between local- and landscape-scale metrics and songbird demography are complex, species-specific, and differ among reproductive parameters, necessitating a multiscale approach to management.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Richmond
- Watershed Ecosystems Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9H 2J9, Canada
| | - E. Nol
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9H 2J9, Canada
| | - D. Burke
- Southern Science and Information Unit, Ministry of Natural Resources, 659 Exeter Road, London, ON N6E 1L3, Canada
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Storm-Suke A, Norris DR, Wassenaar LI, Chin E, Nol E. Factors influencing the turnover and net isotopic discrimination of hydrogen isotopes in proteinaceous tissue: experimental results using Japanese quail. Physiol Biochem Zool 2012; 85:376-84. [PMID: 22705487 DOI: 10.1086/666476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Stable hydrogen isotopes (δ(2)H) are commonly used in studies of animal movement. Tissue that is metabolically inactive after growth (e.g., feathers) provides spatial or dietary information that reflects only the period of tissue growth, whereas tissues that are metabolically active (e.g., red blood cells) provide a moving window of forensic information. However, using δ(2)H for studies of animal movement relies on the assumption that tissue δ(2)H values reflect dietary δ(2)H values, plus or minus a net diet-tissue discrimination value, and that the turnover rate is known for metabolically active tissue. The metabolic rate of an animal may influence both diet-tissue discrimination values and isotopic tissue turnover rate, but this hypothesis has not been tested experimentally. To examine the metabolic hypothesis, an experimental group of 12 male and 15 female captive Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) was housed at 8.9°C for 90 d to elevate their metabolic rates (mL CO(2) min(-1)), and a control group of 12 male and 13 female quail was housed at room temperature during the same period. For both experimental and control birds, diet-tissue discrimination values were estimated for red blood cells and feathers. To determine turnover rate, experimental and control birds were switched from a (2)H-enriched diet to a (2)H-depleted diet, with red blood cells sampled before and after diet switch. Metabolic rate did not influence red blood cell hydrogen isotope turnover rate (η(2)(p) = 0.24)) or diet-feather isotope discrimination values (η(2)(p) = 0.86). Diet-feather hydrogen isotopic discrimination had a significant sex plus treatment interaction effect; female feathers were depleted in (2)H relative to food regardless of treatment, whereas male feathers were enriched in (2)H. The effect of sex suggested that experimental studies should examine whether coeval males and females differ in blood δ(2)H levels during certain periods of the annual cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Storm-Suke
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada.
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Leshyk R, Nol E, Burke DM, Burness G. Logging affects fledgling sex ratios and baseline corticosterone in a forest songbird. PLoS One 2012; 7:e33124. [PMID: 22432000 PMCID: PMC3303809 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2011] [Accepted: 02/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Silviculture (logging) creates a disturbance to forested environments. The degree to which forests are modified depends on the logging prescription and forest stand characteristics. In this study we compared the effects of two methods of group-selection (“moderate” and “heavy”) silviculture (GSS) and undisturbed reference stands on stress and offspring sex ratios of a forest interior species, the Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla), in Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada. Blood samples were taken from nestlings for corticosterone and molecular sexing. We found that logging creates a disturbance that is stressful for nestling Ovenbirds, as illustrated by elevated baseline corticosterone in cut sites. Ovenbirds nesting in undisturbed reference forest produce fewer male offspring per brood (proportion male = 30%) while logging with progressively greater forest disturbance, shifted the offspring sex ratio towards males (proportion male: moderate = 50%, heavy = 70%). If Ovenbirds in undisturbed forests usually produce female-biased broods, then the production of males as a result of logging may disrupt population viability. We recommend a broad examination of nestling sex ratios in response to anthropogenic disturbance to determine the generality of our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhiannon Leshyk
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
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Richmond S, Nol E, Burke D. Avian nest success, mammalian nest predator abundance, and invertebrate prey availability in a fragmented landscape. CAN J ZOOL 2011. [DOI: 10.1139/z11-017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Avian nest success is largely determined by predation, but factors affecting the abundance of potential nest predators are rarely studied. We used an information–theoretic approach to assess relative support for models including invertebrate biomass, mammalian nest predator abundance, and percent cover at nests as explanatory variables for nest success of Ovenbirds ( Seiurus aurocapilla (L., 1766)) and Wood Thrush ( Hylocichla mustelina (J.F. Gmelin, 1789)). We ranked models including local vegetation characteristics and landscape composition at two spatial scales (100 and 2000 m) as explanatory variables for the abundance of mammalian nest predator groups and for prey biomass. The nest success of Ovenbirds was best explained by a positive association with percent cover by forbs and seedlings, whereas a positive relationship with prey biomass best explained the nest success of Wood Thrush. Most mammal genera were associated with landscape composition within 100 m of the study sites, and most were positively associated with housing density. Prey biomass was best explained by a positive association with less intensive agriculture within 2000 m. Implementing silvicultural techniques that preserve important habitat features within fragmented forests, limiting housing density within 100 m, and increasing the amount of less intensive agriculture within 2000 m of forest fragments may improve nest success for forest songbirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Richmond
- Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, Canada
| | - E. Nol
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9H 2J9, Canada
| | - D. Burke
- Southern Science and Information Unit, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 659 Exeter Road, London, ON N6E 1L3, Canada
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Abstract
Mature aspen (genus Populus L..) and maple (genus Acer L.) forests appear to be high-quality breeding habitat for Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers ( Sphyrapicus varius (L., 1766)). To explore some of the mechanisms that influence quality of the breeding habitat, we measured demographic and breeding resources in four forest stands each of 95-year-old quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides Michx.) and 182-year-old sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.) in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, from 2007 to 2009. Population density was higher, egg laying earlier, clutches larger, hatching success greater, and per capita and population fledgling production higher in maple stands compared with aspen stands. Longer nest-building and prelaying stages in aspen stands delayed egg laying by 5 days relative to maple stands. The delay in egg laying in aspen stands may have been caused by lower quality sap resources, which then resulted in lower productivity. Adults delivered smaller food loads to nests in aspen stands than in maple stands, which may have increased nestling mortality in aspen stands. Although per capita fledgling production was lower in aspen stands than in maple stands, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in both forests were able to replace themselves, suggesting that mature deciduous and mixed-deciduous forests, in general, are high-quality breeding habitat for this sapsucker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas C. Tozer
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Environmental Science Centre, 1600 West Bank Drive, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Biology Department, Environmental Science Centre, 1600 West Bank Drive, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 659 Exeter Road, London, ON N6E 1L3, Canada
| | - Erica Nol
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Environmental Science Centre, 1600 West Bank Drive, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Biology Department, Environmental Science Centre, 1600 West Bank Drive, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 659 Exeter Road, London, ON N6E 1L3, Canada
| | - Dawn M. Burke
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Environmental Science Centre, 1600 West Bank Drive, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Biology Department, Environmental Science Centre, 1600 West Bank Drive, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 659 Exeter Road, London, ON N6E 1L3, Canada
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Affiliation(s)
- L. McKinnon
- Département de Biologie, Université du Québec à Rimouski and Centre d'Etudes Nordiques, Rimouski, QC G5L 3A1, Canada
| | - P. A. Smith
- Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - E. Nol
- Ecology and Conservation Group, Environment and Life Sciences Graduate Program and Biology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - J. L. Martin
- Département Dynamique des Systèmes Ecologiques, Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Montpellier, France
| | - F. I. Doyle
- Wildlife Dynamics Consulting, Telkwa, BC V0J 2X0, Canada
| | - K. F. Abraham
- Wildlife Research and Development Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - H. G. Gilchrist
- Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre and Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - R. I. G. Morrison
- Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - J. Bêty
- Département de Biologie, Université du Québec à Rimouski and Centre d'Etudes Nordiques, Rimouski, QC G5L 3A1, Canada
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Faaborg J, Holmes RT, Anders AD, Bildstein KL, Dugger KM, Gauthreaux SA, Heglund P, Hobson KA, Jahn AE, Johnson DH, Latta SC, Levey DJ, Marra PP, Merkord CL, Nol E, Rothstein SI, Sherry TW, Sillett TS, Thompson FR, Warnock N. Conserving migratory land birds in the new world: do we know enough? Ecol Appl 2010; 20:398-418. [PMID: 20405795 DOI: 10.1890/09-0397.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Migratory bird needs must be met during four phases of the year: breeding season, fall migration, wintering, and spring migration; thus, management may be needed during all four phases. The bulk of research and management has focused on the breeding season, although several issues remain unsettled, including the spatial extent of habitat influences on fitness and the importance of habitat on the breeding grounds used after breeding. Although detailed investigations have shed light on the ecology and population dynamics of a few avian species, knowledge is sketchy for most species. Replication of comprehensive studies is needed for multiple species across a range of areas, Information deficiencies are even greater during the wintering season, when birds require sites that provide security and food resources needed for survival and developing nutrient reserves for spring migration and, possibly, reproduction. Research is needed on many species simply to identify geographic distributions, wintering sites, habitat use, and basic ecology. Studies are complicated, however, by the mobility of birds and by sexual segregation during winter. Stable-isotope methodology has offered an opportunity to identify linkages between breeding and wintering sites, which facilitates understanding the complete annual cycle of birds. The twice-annual migrations are the poorest-understood events in a bird's life. Migration has always been a risky undertaking, with such anthropogenic features as tall buildings, towers, and wind generators adding to the risk. Species such as woodland specialists migrating through eastern North America have numerous options for pausing during migration to replenish nutrients, but some species depend on limited stopover locations. Research needs for migration include identifying pathways and timetables of migration, quality and distribution of habitats, threats posed by towers and other tall structures, and any bottlenecks for migration. Issues such as human population growth, acid deposition, climate change, and exotic diseases are global concerns with uncertain consequences to migratory birds and even less-certain remedies. Despite enormous gaps in our understanding of these birds, research, much of it occurring in the past 30 years, has provided sufficient information to make intelligent conservation efforts but needs to expand to handle future challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Faaborg
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA.
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McKinnon L, Smith PA, Nol E, Martin JL, Doyle FI, Abraham KF, Gilchrist HG, Morrison RIG, Bêty J. Lower predation risk for migratory birds at high latitudes. Science 2010; 327:326-7. [PMID: 20075251 DOI: 10.1126/science.1183010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Quantifying the costs and benefits of migration distance is critical to understanding the evolution of long-distance migration. In migratory birds, life history theory predicts that the potential survival costs of migrating longer distances should be balanced by benefits to lifetime reproductive success, yet quantification of these reproductive benefits in a controlled manner along a large geographical gradient is challenging. We measured a controlled effect of predation risk along a 3350-kilometer south-north gradient in the Arctic and found that nest predation risk declined more than twofold along the latitudinal gradient. These results provide evidence that birds migrating farther north may acquire reproductive benefits in the form of lower nest predation risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- L McKinnon
- Département de Biologie, Université du Québec à Rimouski and Centre d'Etudes Nordiques, Rimouski, Québec, G5L3A1, Canada.
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Faaborg J, Holmes RT, Anders AD, Bildstein KL, Dugger KM, Gauthreaux SA, Heglund P, Hobson KA, Jahn AE, Johnson DH, Latta SC, Levey DJ, Marra PP, Merkord CL, Nol E, Rothstein SI, Sherry TW, Sillett TS, Thompson FR, Warnock N. Recent advances in understanding migration systems of New World land birds. ECOL MONOGR 2010. [DOI: 10.1890/09-0395.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Walpole B, Nol E, Johnston V. Breeding habitat preference and nest success of Red-necked Phalaropes on Niglintgak Island, Northwest Territories. CAN J ZOOL 2008. [DOI: 10.1139/z08-119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Red-necked Phalaropes ( Phalaropus lobatus (L., 1758)) breed throughout arctic and subarctic wetlands. These wetlands provide Red-necked Phalaropes dense graminoid habitat that shelters and conceals nests, and freshwater ponds where phalaropes engage in social interactions and feed on small aquatic invertebrates. We studied breeding habitat preference of Red-necked Phalaropes at multiple scales and determined which, if any, nest-site characteristics influenced hatching success. Red-necked Phalaropes avoided habitat at the meso (home range) scale containing large areas of mud and shrub cover, and selected sites with greater cover of graminoids, aquatic emergents, and open water than that available in the environment. At the micro (nest) scale, phalaropes chose sites dominated by graminoids and water. In 2005, concealed nests experienced higher daily nest survival than exposed nests. In 2006, 40% of nests were destroyed during a summer storm surge and we detected no differences in habitat characteristics between the remaining successful and unsuccessful nests. We suggest that annual differences in the adaptive value of nest-site selection depend on the relative abundance of mammalian and avian predators. A habitat model using data at the meso scale correctly identified phalarope habitat and has the potential to be used broadly across the western Arctic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bree Walpole
- Watershed Ecosystems Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Biology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Suite 301, 5204 50th Avenue, Yellowknife, NWT X1A 1E2, Canada
| | - Erica Nol
- Watershed Ecosystems Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Biology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Suite 301, 5204 50th Avenue, Yellowknife, NWT X1A 1E2, Canada
| | - Vicky Johnston
- Watershed Ecosystems Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Biology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Suite 301, 5204 50th Avenue, Yellowknife, NWT X1A 1E2, Canada
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Male SK, Nol E. Impacts of roads associated with the Ekati Diamond MineTM, Northwest Territories, Canada, on reproductive success and breeding habitat of Lapland Longspurs. CAN J ZOOL 2005. [DOI: 10.1139/z05-128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We examined the effects of roads associated with the Ekati Diamond MineTM, Nortwest Territories, Canada, on reproductive success and breeding habitat of Lapland Longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus (L., 1758)) by comparing these attributes on study sites located directly beside and at least 5 km away from roads. No significant differences between roads and reference sites were detected for first-egg dates, clutch size, mean nestling mass on the 7th day following hatch, or daily nest survival. We found no evidence that Lapland Longspurs were avoiding nest sites located near roads. Recorded frequencies of male song overlapped with the harmonics of heavy-truck noise. Snow-water equivalent and percent cover of mosses were significantly higher on reference sites, while soil moisture and dust deposition were higher on road sites. Dust suppressant applied midway through the breeding season significantly reduced dust deposition. Lapland Longspur nest sites had significantly higher percent cover of graminoids and of shrubs and forbs, and significantly lower percent cover of lichens than random sites, an effect that occurred both near and distant from roads. Currently, there appears to be no measurable effect of roads associated with the Ekati Diamond MineTM on current territorial choice and reproductive performance of Lapland Longspurs. Observed differences in habitat characteristics between reference plots and road plots suggest that long-term changes in the vegetation community may occur that could affect nest-site selection of Lapland Longspurs.
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Hargreaves AL, Johnson SD, Nol E. Do floral syndromes predict specialization in plant pollination systems? An experimental test in an “ornithophilous” African Protea. Oecologia 2004; 140:295-301. [PMID: 15168105 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-004-1495-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2003] [Accepted: 01/08/2004] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
We investigated whether the "ornithophilous" floral syndrome exhibited in an African sugarbush, Protea roupelliae (Proteaceae), reflects ecological specialization for bird-pollination. A breeding system experiment established that the species is self-compatible, but dependent on visits by pollinators for seed set. The cup-shaped inflorescences were visited by a wide range of insect and bird species; however inflorescences from which birds, but not insects, were excluded by wire cages set few seeds relative to open-pollinated controls. One species, the malachite sunbird (Nectarinia famosa), accounted for more than 80% of all birds captured in P. roupelliae stands and carried the largest protea pollen loads. A single visit by this sunbird species was enough to increase seed set considerably over unvisited, bagged inflorescences. Our results show that P. roupelliae is largely dependent on birds for pollination, and thus confirm the utility of floral syndromes for generating hypotheses about the ecology of pollination systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Hargreaves
- Biology Department, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, K9 J 7B8, Canada
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Mahony N, Nol E, Hutchinson T. Food-chain chemistry, reproductive success, and foraging behaviour of songbirds in acidified maple forests of central Ontario. CAN J ZOOL 1997. [DOI: 10.1139/z97-063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We examined the breeding success of two insectivorous bird species, the resident black-capped chickadee (Parus atricapillus) and the Neotropical migrant chestnut-sided warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica), in relation to food-chain chemistry at a healthy and a declining forest site in central Ontario, Canada. The health of sugar maples (Acer saccharum) was poorer and the pH of both soil and throughfall was lower at the declining site than at the healthy site. The calcium and magnesium concentrations and the calcium:aluminum ratio in the soil were also lower at the declining site than at the healthy site. The calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus concentrations and the calcium:aluminum ratio in sugar maple foliage were lower at the declining site than at the healthy site, indicating extensive acid leaching of the soil and foliage at the declining site. Caterpillars (Geometridae) at the declining site had a lower calcium concentration and beetles had a lower magnesium concentration than these groups at the healthy site. The calcium:aluminum ratios in the tissues of insects in both groups were lower at the declining site than at the healthy site, paralleling the foliar and soil chemical differences. There were, however, no differences in clutch or brood sizes, or percent hatch, for either bird species between the healthy and declining sites. Chickadees consistently foraged lower in the canopy at the declining site, a possible compensatory behaviourial response to canopy dieback and (or) lower food quality in the upper canopy.
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Abstract
We compared the rates of intraspecific and interspecific kleptoparasitism of foraging American oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) on a commercial oyster (Crassostrea virginica) bed during two seasons and between 1979 and 1995. In 1979 most conspecific kleptoparasites were immature oystercatchers and victims were adults. Both intra- and inter-specific parasitism were more common in 1979 than in 1994 or 1995. Kleptoparasitism by conspecifics was more common than by gulls (Larus argentatus, L. marinus) but was not density dependent. Gulls primarily kleptoparasitized oystercatchers foraging on mussels (Geukensia demissa), with their longer handling times. Kleptoparasitism by gulls increased as the number of gulls on the oyster bed increased, and the presence of gulls significantly depressed intake rates and sizes of mussels taken by oystercatchers during autumn. Oystercatchers ate smaller oysters in autumn than in winter in both the presence and absence of gulls. The presence of conspecific and gull kleptoparasites changed the oystercatchers' relative preference for oysters over mussels in their diet. The presence of gulls only partly explained the oystercatchers' lower rates of intake of oysters in autumn than in winter.
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Abstract
American oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) responded to declines in the density of oysters (Crassostrea virginica) on a commercial oyster bed examined in 1979 and 1995 by increasing the number of species of prey eaten and search times, but not peck rates or handling times. Seasonal changes in foraging behaviour included oystercatchers choosing larger oysters with longer handling times in winter than in autumn, but with subsequently greater profitability and higher intake rates. Time budgets of foraging birds were similar in the two seasons. Oystercatchers ate fewer mussels in winter than in autumn, and fewer mussels than oysters at all times. Search and handling times for mussels were similar in autumn of the 2 years. After a commercial harvest of oysters at a second site, handling times for oysters did not decline; however, search times were significantly more variable, niche breadth was greater, and there was a trend towards longer search times post harvest. The recorded changes in foraging behaviour indicated a close match between search and handling times and prey density and size and behavioural flexibility of foraging birds in response to sometimes drastic changes in their prey base.
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Bertram S, Berrill M, Nol E. Male Mating Success and Variation in Chorus Attendance within and among Breeding Seasons in the Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor). COPEIA 1996. [DOI: 10.2307/1447540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Abstract
The sizes of six brain regions and of the whole brain were measured for a series of embryonic killdeer, Charadrius vociferus, and common snipe, Gallinago gallinago, to examine (1) the allometric relationship between whole brain and body mass through ontogeny, (2) whether the longer incubation period of the killdeer corresponds to a larger brain at hatch, (3) whether different brain regions grow independently in size through ontogeny, and (4) whether relative size of particular brain regions relates to relative importance of hatching behavior or to the relative importance of behaviors in the adult. Although snipe are generally less precocial at hatch than killdeer, and hence are predicted to have lower allometric coefficients, the allometric relationships between brain and body mass for the two species were not significantly different and were comparable to those for other birds and mammals. The onset of the rapid growth phase of the whole brain, and each region, was very early in the snipe; as a consequence, brain sizes in both species are similar at hatch, despite the shorter incubation period of snipe. In hatchlings of both species, the brain comprises about 7% of body mass. The telencephalon grows most rapidly, the diencephalon and myelencephalon grow more slowly, and the optic tectum grows steadily throughout the embryonic period. The telencephalon of the hatchling snipe is relatively larger than that of hatchling killdeer and exhibits a large nucleus basalis, typical of tactile foragers, although snipe do not forage tactily until adulthood. The relatively large optic tectum of hatchling killdeer corresponds to the highly visual method of foraging of hatchlings. However, the degree to which brain regions grow in the embryonic period, with the exception of the optic tectum and cerebellum in killdeer, appears to relate very closely to their eventual size in adults, with large brain regions growing less in the embryonic period than small brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Nol
- Biology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, Ont., Canada
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Abstract
Relative brain size and the relative size of six brain regions (main olfactory bulbs, accessory olfactory bulbs, telencephalon, optic tectum, cerebellum and brain stem) in ten species of anurans from five habitats were examined to determine whether there was any evidence of adaptation in brain structure. A previously published data set was also reanalysed. Arboreal frogs have larger body-size corrected brains than frogs from other habitats. Arboreal ranid (Platymantis vitiensis) and hylid (Hyla versicolor) possess slightly larger cerebella than the ranids and hylids from other habitats. Platymantis vitiensis lacks an accessory olfactory bulb. The fully-aquatic Xenopus laevis (Pipidae) has a smaller optic tectum and cerebellum than the non-fossorial hylids and ranids. Adaptation to life underground appears to explain the modified brains of two fossorial frogs, Hemisus guineensis (Ranidae) and Rhinophrynus dorsalis (Rhinophrynidae). Both species of fossorial frogs have reduced optic tecta, larger main olfactory and smaller accessory olfactory bulbs, and larger torus semicircularis than non-fossorial species. Our data showed a strong negative correlation between the size of the optic tectum and the size of the main olfactory bulbs. We conclude that, although anuran brains are very similar across taxa in qualitative and general structure, there are some interesting, apparent adaptations, to fossorial and arboreal life.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Taylor
- Department of Zoology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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50
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Abstract
Selection of hibernation sites and overwintering movements were examined in a small population of painted turtles (Chrysemys picta), in a pond near Lakefield, Ontario. Turtles emerged from overwintering sites where the water depth, sediment depth, and temperature did not differ from the average for the pond, but were less variable. Turtles overwintered in areas with water depths from 0.2 to 0.48 m, sediment depths from 0.5 to 0.95 m, and sediment temperatures from 3 to 6 °C. Contrary to prediction, turtles did not overwinter in the regions of the pond that were the first to melt in the spring. Four turtles tagged with temperature-sensitive transmitters and followed over the winter maintained carapace surface temperatures between 4 and 6 °C during the period of ice cover. Movements of turtles continued after ice cover but virtually ended once the water became anoxic. All turtles were buried in the mud from January to spring emergence in March.
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