Mechanisms of Flood-Induced Territory Abandonment in an Obligate Ground-Foraging Bird

The condor

Bryan M. Reiley¹ 

关键词: Swainson's Warbler;    flooding;    natural disturbance;    habitat use;    territory abandonment;   

DOI  :  10.1525/cond.2013.120163

学科分类：动物科学

来源: Central Ornithology Publication Office

【 摘 要 】

Abstract. Large-scale disturbances, by affecting habitat suitability, can influence bird populations and communities. Although we know that disturbances can lead to population decreases and shifts in community structure, our understanding of finer-scaled mechanisms leading to these patterns is limited. We focused on why some territories remain occupied by a species following a large-scale disturbance, while others are abandoned. The Swainson's Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii) is especially susceptible to flooding because of its preference for nesting in thick understory vegetation and foraging in leaf litter. In 2008, a major flood inundated a study site where we have studied Swainson's Warblers since 2004. In 2008 and 2009, we resurveyed 42 Swainson's Warbler territories that were occupied between 2005 and 2007 and examined changes in habitat structure and composition and prey abundance influencing territory abandonment. Occupancy declined between the preflood and postflood surveys. Territory abandonmen...

【 授权许可】

CC BY