Date: July 11, 2018
Source: American Ornithological Society Publications Office
Summary:
A study published in The Condor: Ornithological Applications presents
a case study on how bird surveys can better inform conservation and vegetation
restoration efforts. Previous conservation methods have emphasized plants as
the key to recreating habitat preferred by a sensitive animal. However, this
study shows that there's more to the coastal sagebrush habitat of California
Gnatcatchers than just having the right plants present. Abiotic components such
as topography and soil are important drivers of the biotic components,
including plants, which pair together to make the complete ecosystem these
birds need. Given this more complete perspective, future conservation efforts
would be wise to consider all of the variables that make up an animal's
habitat.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service's Clark Winchell and Colorado State University's Paul F. Doherty, Jr.,
set out to find a way to improve the traditional "single-species
-oriented" conservation plan. They used bird survey data to more
accurately identify favorable habitat for California Gnatcatcher occupancy and
discovered that as the ratio of coastal sagebrush increased from 10% to 40%,
the probability of colonization and presence of these birds tripled. The amount
of openness in the sagebrush habitat also correlated with the birds' occupancy
probability (30-40% openness was ideal for the birds). Elevation and soil
texture also influenced suitable habitat, with lower elevations and loam or
sandy loam soils most preferred. Winchell and Doherty also found that the
gnatcatchers preferred southern aspects, shallow slopes, and inland areas over
other options. Being so detailed and using such a fine scale allowed more
specific areas to be identified as suitable for gnatcatchers. Thorough research
such as this will better aid conservation efforts, both by informing where restoration
might be most successful and by providing restoration targets.
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