Aspen patch and migratory bird relationships in the northern Yellowstone ecosystem |
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Authors: | Jeff P Hollenbeck William J Ripple |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Forest Resources, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA |
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Abstract: | We evaluated the effects of aspen patch area and orientation (relative to North and an elevational gradient) on the early
breeding season abundance and species richness of migratory and resident birds in the northern ungulate winter range of the
Yellowstone ecosystem, USA. Using an information-theoretic model selection approach, we found patch area and basal area of
aspen to be the most important covariates for long distance migrants, and patch orientation relative to elevational gradient
the most important covariate for residents/short-distance migrants. Basal area of live aspen and aspen snags was marginally
important for both migratory strategies, likely because aspen snags are an important habitat for most cavity-nesting species.
Landscape ecological theory postulates passive interception of dispersing or migrating organisms by patches of suitable habitat.
Our results suggest that residents/short-distance migrants are intercepted by patches that are oriented perpendicular to the
elevational gradient of our study region resulting in greater abundances and species richness in those patches. However, long-distance
migrants appear to use aspen patches without regard to orientation, but rather to patch area. |
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Keywords: | Aspen Bird migration Interception Patch orientation Populus tremuloides Yellowstone National Park |
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