Article
Biology
Camila Gomez, Keith A. Hobson, Nicholas J. Bayly, Kenneth Rosenberg, Andrea Morales-Rozo, Paula Cardozo, Carlos Daniel Cadena
Summary: The study found that over the course of like 45 years, there has been a northward shift of about 600 kilometers in the breeding origin of the blackpoll warbler wintering in the foothills of the eastern Andes of Colombia. This finding aligns with predictions of range shifts for boreal-breeding species under warming climate scenarios and habitat loss in the temperate zone, highlighting likely drivers of declines in migratory bird populations.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Ashley Olah, Christine A. Ribic, Kim Grveles, Sarah Warner, Davin Lopez, Anna M. Pidgeon
Summary: The Kirtland's Warbler is a species that breeds in young jack pine forests in northern Lower Michigan and depends on habitat management. While the species also breeds in red pine plantations in central Wisconsin, it was found that the low pine densities in these plantations led to low fledgling survival rates. Thus, it is recommended to include red pine as a component in managed Kirtland's Warbler habitat only if tree densities approach optimal levels.
ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Nathan W. Cooper, Mark A. Thomas, Peter P. Marra
Summary: This study found that during winter, there were more female Black-and-white Warblers, with males in better body condition and slightly larger in size. Observations showed that females primarily foraged near the ground, while males foraged in the mid-canopy and canopy, indicating vertical habitat segregation likely caused by behavioral dominance rather than habitat specialization. The study also revealed that males were more territorial than females, which may have important implications for year-round population dynamics in Black-and-white Warblers in terms of migration timing, reproductive success, and annual survival.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ashley M. Olah, Christine A. Ribic, Kim Grveles, Sarah Warner, Davin Lopez, Anna M. Pidgeon
Summary: The reproductive success of Kirtland's Warblers in red pine-dominated plantations is similar to that of the warblers breeding in typical jack pine habitat. The red pine-dominated habitat appears to approximate the quality of young jack pine for the warblers, providing flexibility in habitat maintenance for this conservation-reliant species.
AVIAN CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Decheng Wang, Mingxin Li, Chaochao Xiong, Yi Yan, Juefu Hu, Mengchan Hao, Bilin Liang, Jing Chen, Guang Chen, Guoxiang Yang, Yong Li, Jun Zhang, Marina Gulyaeva, Alexander Shestopalov, Weifeng Shi, Yuhai Bi, Haizhou Liu, Hanzhong Wang, Di Liu, Jianjun Chen
Summary: A 4-year surveillance study of avian influenza A viruses in the bird wintering wetlands of the Yangtze River, China, revealed the wetlands as a mixing ground with high diversity of AIV subtypes and nucleotide sequences, showing persistent inter-seasonal presence of AIV gene segments. Phylogenetic analyses indicated complex reassortment events and intercontinental gene flow with North American isolates. Notably, H5 and H9 viruses crossed the poultry/wild bird interface and were introduced to wintering birds. This study highlights the important role of wintering wild birds in the ecology of AIVs and the potential for early warnings of novel AIV emergence.
Article
Ecology
Eric L. Margenau, Nathan W. Cooper, Donald J. Brown, Deahn M. Donner, Peter P. Marra, Pat Ryan
Summary: This study estimated the abundance of brown-headed cowbirds and nest parasitism rates in the breeding range of Kirtland's warbler. It also determined the maximum sustainable parasitism rate for Kirtland's warblers under different cowbird removal scenarios. The findings suggest that adaptive cowbird removal programs may be necessary in the long term to sustain Kirtland's warbler populations.
Article
Forestry
Ashley M. Long, Heather A. Mathewson, Michael L. Morrison
Summary: Understanding the impact of geographic variation in vegetation characteristics on the habitat selection and productivity of Golden-cheeked Warblers is crucial for effective management of at-risk species. This study found that warblers breed under a wider range of vegetation conditions than previously identified in management guidelines, emphasizing the importance of considering geographic variation in wildlife-habitat relationships for conservation efforts.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Pawel Ciesluk, Maciej Cmoch, Zbigniew Kasprzykowski
Summary: Birds wintering in the northern Palearctic adjust their foraging behavior in response to energy losses and food deficit by considering weather conditions and interspecific competition. A study on two sympatrically wintering raptor species, the Common Buzzard and the Rough-legged Buzzard, showed interspecific differences in the use of hunting sites, with the latter avoiding fence posts and spending more time on the ground. The study also revealed that thicker snow cover resulted in fewer attempted attacks on prey and less frequent changes in hunting sites for Common Buzzards.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Claire S. Teitelbaum, Nicholas M. Masto, Jeffery D. Sullivan, Allison C. Keever, Rebecca L. Poulson, Deborah L. Carter, Abigail G. Blake-Bradshaw, Cory J. Highway, Jamie C. Feddersen, Heath M. Hagy, Richard W. Gerhold, Bradley S. Cohen, Diann J. Prosser
Summary: Avian influenza viruses pose a threat to wildlife and livestock health, and little is known about how they spread in wild bird populations. A study found that infected mallards showed no significant differences in body condition, movement behavior, or survival rates compared to uninfected birds, suggesting that they may contribute to the maintenance and dispersal of the virus. Further research on more species, larger geographic areas, and multiple seasons is needed to understand the potential impacts of avian influenza on waterfowl and how the disease spreads across different species and large scales.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bruno Andreas Walther, Falk Huettmann
Summary: This study for the first time used publicly available Open Access GIS data and a multivariate (n=18) and multi-species (n=64) machine learning approach to deduce possible past impacts on migratory birds. The research identified predictor themes related to the distributions and declines of these birds, highlighting the importance of locations, human population pressures, land-use intensities, and climatic factors. It was also predicted that declining trends of migratory birds will persist into the future across much of Africa.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dongmei Yu, Zhongrong Xia, Xitao Yang, Connie Ka Yan Ng, Kong Yang, Zhenghao Wu, Xiaofeng Liu, Huijian Hu
Summary: Insights gained from individual tracking can enhance the conservation of released young green sea turtles by providing detailed data on migration routes, foraging areas, and habitat distribution. During the fishing moratorium in 2021, we tracked 6 juvenile green sea turtles released from China's Huidong Sea Turtle Nature Reserve using satellites, and determined their migration routes and foraging areas. The tracking data revealed that the turtles had varying tracking times, movement distances, and speeds, with the northern coastline of the South China Sea serving as a migration route and certain locations being important foraging grounds. Protecting these migration routes and foraging areas is crucial for sea turtle conservation.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Nico Luebcker, John P. Whiteman, Oliver N. Shipley, Keith A. Hobson, Seth D. Newsome
Summary: The study found that income and capital breeding represent opposite ends of the spectrum in reproductive strategies. Recent advances in stable isotope analysis have provided a new approach for tracing nutrient allocation in migrating species. The research on different species of geese in northern Alaska revealed that they use a mixed strategy of income and capital breeding. Models based on amino acid isotope data estimated a higher contribution from endogenous resources to yolk synthesis compared to bulk tissue isotope analyses.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Filippo Marolla, Tomas Aarvak, Sandra Hamel, Rolf A. Ims, Marc Kery, Jarad P. Mellard, Chloe R. Nater, Michael Schaub, Manolia Vougioukalou, Nigel G. Yoccoz, Ingar J. Oien
Summary: Evaluating the effectiveness of conservation actions is difficult for migratory species due to the potential impacts along their routes. A study on the critically endangered Fennoscandian lesser white-fronted goose population examined the effects of predator control and other conservation initiatives on population recovery. The results suggest that while predator control did not have a significant influence, other conservation efforts may have improved adult survival at staging and wintering areas.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Jesus M. Aviles, Juan Rodriguez-Ruiz, Angel Cruz-Miralles, Jose Maria Abad-Gomez, Deseada Parejo
Summary: Little is known about the migration and wintering distribution of Eurasian Scops Owls. This study used GPS-loggers to track breeding Scops Owls in southern Spain and found that they followed specific migration routes along the coasts of Morocco and the western Sahara. During winter, they dispersed across several West African countries and primarily stayed in tree-covered habitats. This research highlights the importance of these habitats for the conservation of Scops Owls year-round.
ARDEOLA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
James M. Mueller, Steven E. Sesnie, Sarah E. Lehnen, Helen T. Davis, James J. Giocomo, John N. Macey, Ashley M. Long
Summary: This study developed a multi-scale density model for the golden-cheeked warbler using remotely sensed data. The results showed that factors such as tree canopy cover, canopy height, and climate influenced the density of the warbler.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Nathan W. Cooper, Mark A. Thomas, Peter P. Marra
Summary: This study found that during winter, there were more female Black-and-white Warblers, with males in better body condition and slightly larger in size. Observations showed that females primarily foraged near the ground, while males foraged in the mid-canopy and canopy, indicating vertical habitat segregation likely caused by behavioral dominance rather than habitat specialization. The study also revealed that males were more territorial than females, which may have important implications for year-round population dynamics in Black-and-white Warblers in terms of migration timing, reproductive success, and annual survival.
Article
Ecology
Kori Blankenship, Randy Swaty, Kimberly R. Hall, Sarah Hagen, Kelly Pohl, Ayn Shlisky Hunt, Jeannie Patton, Leonardo Frid, Jim Smith
Summary: A comprehensive set of vegetation reference conditions based on over 900 quantitative vegetation dynamic models has been developed for terrestrial ecosystems in the USA, providing a national baseline for measuring vegetation change and supporting land managers and policymakers in restoration and fuel management activities at regional to national scales.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Carly N. Cook, Erik A. Beever, Lindsey L. Thurman, Laura M. Thompson, John E. Gross, Andrew R. Whiteley, Adrienne B. Nicotra, Jennifer A. Szymanski, Carlos A. Botero, Kimberly R. Hall, Ary A. Hoffmann, Gregor W. Schuurman, Carla M. Sgro
Summary: There is a need for conservation practitioners to assist biodiversity in adapting to environmental changes, with evolutionary biologists well-positioned to develop evidence-based management strategies. By promoting closer collaboration between conservation practitioners and evolutionary biologists, there is an opportunity to accelerate necessary changes in management practices. Evolutionary biologists can leverage lessons from other disciplines to drive effective knowledge exchange and contribute to the development of successful conservation practices.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Allison E. Huysman, Nathan W. Cooper, Joseph A. Smith, Susan M. Haig, Susan A. Heath, Luanne Johnson, Elizabeth Olson, Kevin Regan, Jennifer K. Wilson, Peter P. Marra
Summary: Both the eastern and western subspecies of Willets are declining and face threats from habitat loss and climate change. Tracking and banding data show differences in their wintering locations and indicate the need for subspecies-specific management actions.
ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Bram Van Moorter, Ilkka Kivimaki, Andreas Noack, Robin Devooght, Manuela Panzacchi, Kimberly R. Hall, Pierre Leleux, Marco Saerens
Summary: This article introduces ConScape, a software library implemented in the high-performance open-source language Julia for computing metrics for connected habitat and movement flow on high-resolution landscapes. It combines Julia's just-in-time compiler, efficient algorithms, and landmarks to efficiently evaluate large landscape networks.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Ornithology
Michael T. Murphy, Nathan W. Cooper, Kevin Fraser, Elizabeth A. MacDougall-Shackleton, Sara Oyler-McCance, Henry Streby
Article
Ornithology
Michael T. Murphy, Nathan W. Cooper, Kevin Fraser, Elizabeth A. MacDougall-Shackleton, Sara Oyler-McCance, Henry Streby
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mark G. Anderson, Melissa Clark, Arlene P. Olivero, Analie R. Barnett, Kimberly R. Hall, Meredith W. Cornett, Marissa Ahlering, Michael Schindel, Bob Unnasch, Carrie Schloss, D. Richard Cameron
Summary: Motivated by declines in biodiversity exacerbated by climate change, we identified a network of conservation sites designed to provide resilient habitat for species, while supporting dynamic shifts in ranges and changes in ecosystem composition. Our 12-y study involved 289 scientists in 14 study regions across the conterminous United States (CONUS), and our intent was to support local-, regional-, and national-scale conservation decisions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Nathan W. Cooper, Bryant C. Dossman, Lucas E. Berrigan, J. Morgan Brown, Alicia R. Brunner, Helen E. Chmura, Dominic A. Cormier, Camille Begin-Marchand, Amanda D. Rodewald, Philip D. Taylor, Christopher M. Tonra, Junior A. Tremblay, Peter P. Marra
Summary: A study found that most bird species start their long-distance migration shortly after civil dusk in a highly synchronized manner, while species that first make non-migratory regional movements depart later and more asynchronously at night. This suggests that departing promptly after civil dusk maximizes the potential for nightly flight duration and distance.
Article
Ecology
Nathan W. Cooper, Bryant C. Dossman, Lucas E. Berrigan, J. Morgan Brown, Dominic A. Cormier, Camille Begin-Marchand, Amanda D. Rodewald, Philip D. Taylor, Junior A. Tremblay, Peter P. Marra
Summary: By analyzing automated radio telemetry data from four species of songbirds collected at five breeding and wintering sites in North America, along with hourly weather data from a global weather model, it was found that changes in atmospheric pressure were related to the probability of departure from breeding and wintering sites for all species. In contrast, wind profit, precipitation, and cloud cover were only informative predictors of departure probability for one species.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Christine D. Miller D. Hesed, Heather M. Yocum, Molly Cross, Aparna Bamzai-Dodson, Ben Wheeler, Jon P. Beckmann, Marissa Ahlering, Kimberly R. Hall, Emily Boyd-Valandra, Danika Mosher, Brian W. Miller, Sarah Jaffe
Summary: To successfully conserve ecosystems in a changing climate, actionable research is needed to support the revision of management approaches. By reviewing and synthesizing grassland management-related documents, we identified shared questions that would help support collective conservation efforts in the northern Great Plains of the United States. These questions can inform a research agenda for conducting actionable science in grassland ecosystems.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Laura M. M. Thompson, Lindsey L. L. Thurman, Carly N. N. Cook, Erik A. A. Beever, Carla M. M. Sgro, Andrew Battles, Carlos A. A. Botero, John E. E. Gross, Kimberly R. R. Hall, Andrew P. P. Hendry, Ary A. A. Hoffmann, Christopher Hoving, Olivia E. E. LeDee, Claudia Mengelt, Adrienne B. B. Nicotra, Robyn A. A. Niver, Felipe Perez-Jvostov, Rebecca M. M. Quinones, Gregor W. W. Schuurman, Michael K. K. Schwartz, Jennifer Szymanski, Andrew Whiteley
Summary: Resource managers have not often considered evolutionary dynamics in climate change adaptation strategies. This study aims to bridge the gap between research and management communities by identifying challenges and opportunities for using evidence from evolutionary science to enhance species' evolutionary potential. The study proposes additional attributes, beyond genetic diversity, for decision-making in the absence of genetic data and provides decision-making frameworks for comparing alternative strategies for supporting evolutionary potential.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Eric L. Margenau, Nathan W. Cooper, Donald J. Brown, Deahn M. Donner, Peter P. Marra, Pat Ryan
Summary: This study estimated the abundance of brown-headed cowbirds and nest parasitism rates in the breeding range of Kirtland's warbler. It also determined the maximum sustainable parasitism rate for Kirtland's warblers under different cowbird removal scenarios. The findings suggest that adaptive cowbird removal programs may be necessary in the long term to sustain Kirtland's warbler populations.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michael T. Murphy, Lucas J. Redmond, Amy C. Dolan, Nathan W. Cooper, Karen Shepherdson, Christopher M. Chutter, Sarah Cancellieri
Summary: Climate change has significant impacts on bird reproduction, especially for aerial insectivore species that rely on weather conditions. This study focuses on two populations of Eastern Kingbird in different hygric environments and finds that increasing temperature leads to earlier laying dates and larger clutch sizes. The interaction of temperature and rainfall also affects reproductive outcomes.
AVIAN CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Randy Swaty, Kori Blankenship, Kimberly R. Hall, Jim Smith, Megan Dettenmaier, Sarah Hagen
Summary: Assessing ecosystem change requires considering both the degree of conversion and representation in protected area networks, as well as comparing the current state to a meaningful reference condition. This article reviews the use of a departure metric to measure ecosystem conditions and demonstrates its implementation through case studies. The departure metric helps identify hidden risks and lost functions, providing valuable insights for conservation and management.
