Reproductive consequences of habitat fragmentation for a declining resident bird of the longleaf pine ecosystem
Abstract Habitat loss and fragmentation are major threats to bird population persistence. Yet, our understanding of the demographic factors behind the adverse effects of fragmentation remains limited for many species. We studied the breeding demographics of the Bachman's Sparrow (Peucaea aestiv...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2017-07-01
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| Series: | Ecosphere |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1898 |
| _version_ | 1811167094594600960 |
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| author | Jason M. Winiarski Christopher E. Moorman John P. Carpenter George R. Hess |
| author_facet | Jason M. Winiarski Christopher E. Moorman John P. Carpenter George R. Hess |
| author_sort | Jason M. Winiarski |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Habitat loss and fragmentation are major threats to bird population persistence. Yet, our understanding of the demographic factors behind the adverse effects of fragmentation remains limited for many species. We studied the breeding demographics of the Bachman's Sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis), a species of conservation concern that is associated with highly imperiled longleaf pine ecosystems in the southeastern United States. We quantified the effects of local‐ and landscape‐scale factors on different components of reproductive success (i.e., pairing success and probability of fledging offspring) for 96 male sparrows at eight sites in southeastern North Carolina. Pairing success of monitored sparrows was 69%, and 77% of paired males fledged ≥1 offspring. Habitat amount in the surrounding landscape, rather than local habitat quality, was the most influential predictor of pairing success for male Bachman's Sparrows. In contrast, we documented no predictors of successfully fledging offspring for paired males. We infer that reduced pairing success is limiting reproduction in isolated landscapes and may be a contributing factor for the low occupancy and declines of Bachman's Sparrow in our study region. Overall, our results suggest that managers can promote breeding opportunities for Bachman's Sparrows by prioritizing resources to patches near large, preexisting longleaf pine forest to ensure ≥20% habitat within the surrounding landscape. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T16:03:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2c05e1b8948642d19109b47dd89fd395 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2150-8925 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T16:03:22Z |
| publishDate | 2017-07-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-2c05e1b8948642d19109b47dd89fd3952023-02-10T07:33:12ZengWileyEcosphere2150-89252017-07-0187n/an/a10.1002/ecs2.1898Reproductive consequences of habitat fragmentation for a declining resident bird of the longleaf pine ecosystemJason M. Winiarski0Christopher E. Moorman1John P. Carpenter2George R. Hess3Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina 27695 USAFisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina 27695 USANorth Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 1751 Varsity Drive Raleigh North Carolina 27606 USAFisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina 27695 USAAbstract Habitat loss and fragmentation are major threats to bird population persistence. Yet, our understanding of the demographic factors behind the adverse effects of fragmentation remains limited for many species. We studied the breeding demographics of the Bachman's Sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis), a species of conservation concern that is associated with highly imperiled longleaf pine ecosystems in the southeastern United States. We quantified the effects of local‐ and landscape‐scale factors on different components of reproductive success (i.e., pairing success and probability of fledging offspring) for 96 male sparrows at eight sites in southeastern North Carolina. Pairing success of monitored sparrows was 69%, and 77% of paired males fledged ≥1 offspring. Habitat amount in the surrounding landscape, rather than local habitat quality, was the most influential predictor of pairing success for male Bachman's Sparrows. In contrast, we documented no predictors of successfully fledging offspring for paired males. We infer that reduced pairing success is limiting reproduction in isolated landscapes and may be a contributing factor for the low occupancy and declines of Bachman's Sparrow in our study region. Overall, our results suggest that managers can promote breeding opportunities for Bachman's Sparrows by prioritizing resources to patches near large, preexisting longleaf pine forest to ensure ≥20% habitat within the surrounding landscape.https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1898Bachman's Sparrowdispersalfirefragmentationhabitat amountlandscape |
| spellingShingle | Jason M. Winiarski Christopher E. Moorman John P. Carpenter George R. Hess Reproductive consequences of habitat fragmentation for a declining resident bird of the longleaf pine ecosystem Ecosphere Bachman's Sparrow dispersal fire fragmentation habitat amount landscape |
| title | Reproductive consequences of habitat fragmentation for a declining resident bird of the longleaf pine ecosystem |
| title_full | Reproductive consequences of habitat fragmentation for a declining resident bird of the longleaf pine ecosystem |
| title_fullStr | Reproductive consequences of habitat fragmentation for a declining resident bird of the longleaf pine ecosystem |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reproductive consequences of habitat fragmentation for a declining resident bird of the longleaf pine ecosystem |
| title_short | Reproductive consequences of habitat fragmentation for a declining resident bird of the longleaf pine ecosystem |
| title_sort | reproductive consequences of habitat fragmentation for a declining resident bird of the longleaf pine ecosystem |
| topic | Bachman's Sparrow dispersal fire fragmentation habitat amount landscape |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1898 |
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