Living on the edge: Predicting songbird response to management and environmental changes across an ecotone
Abstract Effective wildlife management requires robust information regarding population status, habitat requirements, and likely responses to changing resource conditions. Single‐species management may inadequately conserve communities and result in undesired effects to non‐target species. Thus, man...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10648 |
| _version_ | 1797448673908490240 |
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| author | Nicholas J. Van Lanen Adrian P. Monroe Cameron L. Aldridge |
| author_facet | Nicholas J. Van Lanen Adrian P. Monroe Cameron L. Aldridge |
| author_sort | Nicholas J. Van Lanen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Effective wildlife management requires robust information regarding population status, habitat requirements, and likely responses to changing resource conditions. Single‐species management may inadequately conserve communities and result in undesired effects to non‐target species. Thus, management can benefit from understanding habitat relationships for multiple species. Pinyon pine and juniper (Pinus spp. and Juniperus spp.) are expanding into sagebrush‐dominated (Artemisia spp.) ecosystems within North America and mechanical removal of these trees is frequently conducted to restore sagebrush ecosystems and recover Greater Sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). However, pinyon‐juniper removal effects on non‐target species are poorly understood, and changing pinyon‐juniper woodland dynamics, climate, and anthropogenic development may obscure conservation priorities. To better predict responses to changing resource conditions, evaluate non‐target effects of pinyon‐juniper removal, prioritize species for conservation, and inform species recovery within pinyon‐juniper and sagebrush ecosystems, we modeled population trends and density‐habitat relationships for four sagebrush‐associated, four pinyon‐juniper‐associated, and three generalist songbird species with respect to these ecosystems. We fit hierarchical population models to point count data collected throughout the western United States from 2008 to 2020. We found regional population changes for 10 of 11 species investigated; 6 of which increased in the highest elevation region of our study. Our models indicate pinyon‐juniper removal will benefit Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri), Green‐tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus), and Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) densities. Conversely, we predict largest negative effects of pinyon‐juniper removal for species occupying early successional pinyon‐juniper woodlands: Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii), Black‐throated Gray Warblers (Setophaga nigrescens), Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii), and Juniper Titmouse (Baeolophus ridgwayi). Our results highlight the importance of considering effects to non‐target species before implementing large‐scale habitat manipulations. Our modeling framework can help prioritize species and regions for conservation action, infer effects of management interventions and a changing environment on wildlife, and help land managers balance habitat requirements across ecosystems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:13:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6b2c063e5e8744ff94656256cab690fe |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:13:45Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-6b2c063e5e8744ff94656256cab690fe2023-11-29T05:44:08ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582023-11-011311n/an/a10.1002/ece3.10648Living on the edge: Predicting songbird response to management and environmental changes across an ecotoneNicholas J. Van Lanen0Adrian P. Monroe1Cameron L. Aldridge2U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center Fort Collins Colorado USAU.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center Fort Collins Colorado USAU.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center Fort Collins Colorado USAAbstract Effective wildlife management requires robust information regarding population status, habitat requirements, and likely responses to changing resource conditions. Single‐species management may inadequately conserve communities and result in undesired effects to non‐target species. Thus, management can benefit from understanding habitat relationships for multiple species. Pinyon pine and juniper (Pinus spp. and Juniperus spp.) are expanding into sagebrush‐dominated (Artemisia spp.) ecosystems within North America and mechanical removal of these trees is frequently conducted to restore sagebrush ecosystems and recover Greater Sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). However, pinyon‐juniper removal effects on non‐target species are poorly understood, and changing pinyon‐juniper woodland dynamics, climate, and anthropogenic development may obscure conservation priorities. To better predict responses to changing resource conditions, evaluate non‐target effects of pinyon‐juniper removal, prioritize species for conservation, and inform species recovery within pinyon‐juniper and sagebrush ecosystems, we modeled population trends and density‐habitat relationships for four sagebrush‐associated, four pinyon‐juniper‐associated, and three generalist songbird species with respect to these ecosystems. We fit hierarchical population models to point count data collected throughout the western United States from 2008 to 2020. We found regional population changes for 10 of 11 species investigated; 6 of which increased in the highest elevation region of our study. Our models indicate pinyon‐juniper removal will benefit Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri), Green‐tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus), and Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) densities. Conversely, we predict largest negative effects of pinyon‐juniper removal for species occupying early successional pinyon‐juniper woodlands: Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii), Black‐throated Gray Warblers (Setophaga nigrescens), Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii), and Juniper Titmouse (Baeolophus ridgwayi). Our results highlight the importance of considering effects to non‐target species before implementing large‐scale habitat manipulations. Our modeling framework can help prioritize species and regions for conservation action, infer effects of management interventions and a changing environment on wildlife, and help land managers balance habitat requirements across ecosystems.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10648conifer removalhierarchical abundance modelnon‐target speciespinyon‐junipersagebrushsongbirds |
| spellingShingle | Nicholas J. Van Lanen Adrian P. Monroe Cameron L. Aldridge Living on the edge: Predicting songbird response to management and environmental changes across an ecotone Ecology and Evolution conifer removal hierarchical abundance model non‐target species pinyon‐juniper sagebrush songbirds |
| title | Living on the edge: Predicting songbird response to management and environmental changes across an ecotone |
| title_full | Living on the edge: Predicting songbird response to management and environmental changes across an ecotone |
| title_fullStr | Living on the edge: Predicting songbird response to management and environmental changes across an ecotone |
| title_full_unstemmed | Living on the edge: Predicting songbird response to management and environmental changes across an ecotone |
| title_short | Living on the edge: Predicting songbird response to management and environmental changes across an ecotone |
| title_sort | living on the edge predicting songbird response to management and environmental changes across an ecotone |
| topic | conifer removal hierarchical abundance model non‐target species pinyon‐juniper sagebrush songbirds |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10648 |
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