Importance of Wetland Landscape Structure to Shorebirds Wintering in an Agricultural Valley |
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Authors: | Oriane W Taft Susan M Haig |
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Institution: | (1) Present address: USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;(2) Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA |
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Abstract: | Only recently has the influence of landscape structure on habitat use been a research focus in wetland systems. During non-breeding
periods when food can be locally limited, wetland spatial pattern across a landscape may be of great importance in determining
wetland use. We studied the influence of landscape structure on abundances of wintering Dunlin (Calidris alpina) and Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) observed on wetlands in the agricultural Willamette Valley of Oregon, USA, during two winters (1999–2000, 2000–2001) of
differing rainfall. We examined (1) shorebird use within a sample of 100 km2 regions differing in landscape structure (hectares of shorebird habitat wet, unvegetated]) and (2) use of sites differing
in landscape context (area of shorebird habitat within a species-defined radius). For use of sites, we also assessed the influence
of two local characteristics: percent of soil exposed and area of wet habitat. We analyzed data using linear regression and
information-theoretic modeling. During the dry winter (2000–2001), Dunlin were attracted to regions with more wetland habitat
and their abundances at sites increased with greater area of shorebird habitat within both the site and the surrounding landscape.
In contrast, Dunlin abundances at sites were related to availability of habitat at only a local scale during the wet winter
(1999–2000). Regional habitat availability was of little importance in predicting Killdeer distributions, and Killdeer site
use appeared unrelated to habitat distributions at both landscape and local scales. Results suggest prioritizing sites for
conservation that are located in areas with high wetland coverage. |
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Keywords: | Dunlin (Calidris alpina) Habitat use Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) Landscape context Landscape planning Oregon Wetland conservation Willamette Valley |
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