Reproductive response of Arizona Grasshopper Sparrows to weather patterns and habitat structure

The condor

¹ 

关键词: Ammodramus savannarum ammolegus;    daily survival rate;    desert grasslands;    Arizona Grasshopper Sparrow;    reproductive success;    precipitation;    temperature;    vegetation structure;   

DOI  :  10.1650/CONDOR-17-128.1

学科分类：动物科学

来源: Central Ornithology Publication Office

【 摘 要 】

ABSTRACT Avian species endemic to desert grasslands of North America contend with significant ecological challenges, including monsoonal rains, droughts, and variable temperatures. These birds have evolved physiological and behavioral means of coping with such extremes, but ongoing changes to temperature and precipitation patterns are affecting their breeding phenology, reproductive success, and population growth rates. We examined how seasonal and daily weather conditions and habitat structure were associated with the nest survival of Arizona Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum ammolegus) in the semidesert and plains grasslands of southeastern Arizona, USA. The mean ± SE daily survival rate (DSR) of nests was 0.960 ± 0.006, corresponding to overall nest success of 46%. The previous season's precipitation, large rain events, and nest concealment were the most important factors explaining DSR. Grasshopper Sparrow nest survival decreased with a wetter previous growing season and with large rain even...

【 授权许可】

CC BY