Avian Habitat Evaluation: Should Counting Birds Count?

Bock, Carl E.; Jones, Zach F.

doi:10.2307/3868428

Cited by 108 publications

(149 citation statements)

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“…Clutch size is also weakly positively linked with mean abundance. If tropical species generally produce smaller clutches, this could result in slower rates of increase in tropical populations, which therefore might translate to lower abundances (Bock and Jones 2004). Our nonphylogenetically controlled multiple and stepwise regression analyses (using raw data) suggest that the relationship between clutch size and abundance is independent of latitude, which would support this hypothesis.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

“…For example, tropical birds tend to have smaller clutch sizes and longer developmental periods than do temperate species (Lack 1947;Ashmole 1963;Martin et al 2000;Griebeler and Böhning-Gaese 2004). Abundance has been shown to be greater when per capita reproductive output is higher (Bock and Jones 2004). Consequently, if reproductive output is comparatively lower in the tropics, then we might generally expect tropical species to be less abundant.…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

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Latitudinal gradients in abundance, and the causes of rarity in the tropics: a test using Australian honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae)

2006

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Several studies have uncovered interspecific latitudinal gradients in abundance (population density) such that tropical species tend to be, on average, less abundant than species at higher latitudes. The causes of this relationship remain poorly studied, in contrast to the relative wealth of literature examining the relationship to latitude of other variables such as range size and body mass. We used a cross-species phylogenetic comparative approach and a spatial approach to examine three potential determining factors (distribution, reproductive output and climate) that might explain why abundance correlates with latitude, using data from 54 species of honeyeaters (Meliphagidae) in woodland environments in eastern Australia. There is a strong positive correlation between mean abundance and latitude in these birds. Reproductive output (clutch size) was positively linked to both abundance and latitude, but partial correlation analysis revealed that clutch size is not related to abundance once the effects of latitude are removed. A subsequent multiple regression model that also considered range size, clutch size and body mass showed that latitude is the only strong predictor of abundance in honeyeaters. In the separate spatial analysis, the climatic variables that we considered (temperature, rainfall and seasonality) were all strongly linked to latitude, but none served as a better predictor of abundance than latitude per se, either individually or collectively. The most intriguing result of our analyses was that the cross-species latitudinal pattern in abundance was not evident within species. This suggests an intrinsic cause of the pattern of 'rarity in the tropics' in Australian honeyeaters. We suggest that evolutionary age may provide a key to understanding patterns of abundance in these birds.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

mentioning

confidence: 97%

Latitudinal gradients in abundance, and the causes of rarity in the tropics: a test using Australian honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae)

2006

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“…As recognised by Bock and Jones (2004), these results have to be considered with caution because they are based on vote counting (i.e., counting the number of positive and negative relationships without taking into account effect size or Pvalues) and many associations considered in these calculations were non-significant. Furthermore, the analysis did not take into account the repeated structure of observations (several species occurred more than once), temporal trends in publication biases, and phylogenetic relationships among species (Arnqvist and Wooster 1995).…”

Section: Density As An Indicator Of Habitat Qualitymentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Although comparisons of density-reproduction relationships based on a single year do not separate the effects of ordinary density-dependence in reproduction from ecological traps, about 28% of the studies suggested negative relationships between density and reproductive success. Most importantly, there were some indications that these studies were located in highly disturbed landscapes (Bock and Jones 2004). Because many threatened and red-listed species inhabit disturbed landscapes, and because ecological traps are especially likely to occur in such environments, it is still relevant to question whether density alone should be used to identify ''high quality'' sites for conservation purposes.…”

Section: Density As An Indicator Of Habitat Qualitymentioning

confidence: 97%

“…To test whether density may be used as a surrogate for habitat quality, Bock and Jones (2004) reviewed 109 studies of 67 bird species breeding in a natural setting (i.e., omitting nest box studies) with data on local densities, per capita reproduction and productivity (i.e., density · per capita reproduction). Productivity was used because habitats with equal per capita reproduction but higher density are more productive, and therefore could be argued to be more valuable in terms of conservation (see also Van Horne 1983).…”

Section: Density As An Indicator Of Habitat Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Empirical evidence for ecological traps: a two-step model focusing on individual decisions

2007

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Ecological traps are poor quality habitats that are preferred by individuals and that cause standard indicators of habitat quality (e.g., density, age structure, order of settlement) to be misleading. A maladaptive choice of habitats may have detrimental effects on individual fitness and long-term population persistence. For conservation purposes, it is therefore critical to identify ecological traps. We discuss a recent review on the relationships between density, reproductive success and productivity at the patch level. We also discuss the concept of ecological traps and definitions of habitat quality and habitat preference. Based on recent literature on ecological traps, we argue that no study shows evidence of an ecological trap in its strict sense, i.e., a preference for sink and an avoidance of source habitat. This lack of evidence is partly due to poor measures of preference and individual fitness, and to an absence of studies at the individual level. We suggest a two-step protocol at the level of individuals to investigate ecological traps by linking: (1) habitat characteristics, i.e., potential cues used by individuals, to fitness, and (2) preference for specific habitat characteristics. This protocol is illustrated by a long-term study on breeding territory selection in Northern Wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe) in Sweden. Using our protocol, we could determine at least in part why Wheatears show a mismatch between habitat preference and fitness. We conclude that there is an urgent need for more studies on individual habitat-selection decisions before we can find less labour-intensive ways to identify potential trap situations.

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Differential matrix use by Neotropical birds based on species traits and landscape condition

Kennedy

Zipkin²,

Marra

2017

Ecological Applications

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There is considerable uncertainty about the role of human-modified habitats in supporting species in fragmented landscapes. This is because few studies sample outside of native habitats in the "matrix." Those that do, often fail to sample landscapes in a way that accounts for the confounding effects of native habitat pattern and species detection biases that can obscure species responses. We employed multi-species hierarchical occupancy models to determine the use of human-modified habitats by Neotropical birds in landscapes that were similar in forest amount and configuration but surrounded by a matrix of agriculture (predominately pasture), bauxite mining (surface mining for aluminum), or suburban development in central Jamaica. We found that the vast majority of bird species used the matrix: with the highest mean occurrences for open-associated, followed by generalist, and last forest-associated species. Migrant species had higher mean occurrences in all matrix types relative to resident species. Contrary to our expectation, mean occurrence for the entire species community, and for forest-associated and migrant species, were highest in bauxite, intermediate in suburban, and lowest in agriculture. Open-associated species had higher occurrences in both bauxite and agricultural matrices, whereas generalist species had higher occurrences in suburban matrices. Additional behavioral observations indicated that Neotropical birds used matrix areas, particularly scattered trees, to acquire food, and secondarily, as movement conduits. Matrix use patterns reflected the differential availability of potential resources and structural connectivity across the three landscape types, but only for those species adapted to open/edge environments and with generalized habitat requirements. Patterns of matrix use by forest specialists reflected the differential levels of degradation of the native forest; thus, we propose that higher matrix use for forest-dependent species may be induced by diminished within-forest resources. These results underscore that effective management of human-modified matrices requires in-depth understanding of the trade-offs between the benefits available in the matrix and the impacts on the disturbance of native habitats.

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Avian Habitat Evaluation: Should Counting Birds Count?

Cited by 108 publications

References 0 publications

Latitudinal gradients in abundance, and the causes of rarity in the tropics: a test using Australian honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae)

Latitudinal gradients in abundance, and the causes of rarity in the tropics: a test using Australian honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae)

Empirical evidence for ecological traps: a two-step model focusing on individual decisions

Differential matrix use by Neotropical birds based on species traits and landscape condition

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