Effects of Hurricanes on the Understory Forest Birds of Cozumel Island

Abstract

The frequency and intensity of hurricanes are likely to increase in the Caribbean due to climate change, potentially threatening the long-term conservation of biodiversity in vulnerable island ecosystems. The effects of hurricanes were assessed for the understory forest birds of Cozumel Island during the first and second year after two consecutive hurricanes (Emily and Wilma) struck the island in July and October of 2005. Post-hurricanes values were compared to pre-hurricanes values for summer and winter bird assemblages. A total of 2,504 individuals of 45 species (29 resident and 16 migrants) were captured using mist nets. Strong negative effects of the hurricanes were detected during the first winter season, that is, 3 months following the second hurricane, with significantly lower mean values per site for the number of individuals, the number of species, and the percentages of migratory individuals and species. During the second winter (16 months after the hurricanes), parameter values of the bird assemblages were similar to pre-hurricane values. Response variables showed no effects of hurricanes in the case of summer bird assemblages (either 8 or 21 months after the hurricanes). Yet, when we carried out ordinations of the samples, taking into consideration the bird species and their relative abundances, we found that in both winter and summer seasons, bird assemblages for the three sampling periods (pre-hurricanes, first year and second year after the hurricanes) could be clearly distinguished. Management strategies for hurricane-prone areas are recommended, in particular for diverse insular ecosystems highly threatened by the synergistic effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances.

The short-term impacts of Hurricane Maria on the forest birds of Dominica

“…Mist-netting undertaken by Temeles and Bishop (2019) in the spring of 2018 at several sites across Dominica suggested that as much as 75% of the Purple-throated Carib population may have been lost in the weeks and months following Hurricane Maria. A decrease in the abundance of hummingbirds following major tropical storms is mirrored in the findings of other studies (Lynch 1991, Waide 1991a, Wauer and Wunderle 1992, Wiley and Wunderle 1993, Perdomo-Velázquez et al 2017, Wunderle 2017, Lloyd et al 2019. Fruit-and nectar-feeding species tend to be more vulnerable to hurricanes since their primary food sources are fragile, vulnerable to wind damage, and can take time to regenerate (Waide 1991a, Rathcke 2000.…”

“…However, when retained, there was an increase from 2017 to 2019. While these results are not reflected by the majority of studies, others have observed similar increases in Bananaquit populations following hurricanes (Tossas 2006, Perdomo-Velázquez et al 2017. Bananaquits reproduce quickly, as they have an average brood size of three and can breed multiple times per year (Billerman et al 2020).…”

“…Cozumel Island, off the northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, was directly hit by both storms. Due to the very short timeframe between the storms, there was little opportunity for recovery to occur, and Perdomo-Velázquez et al (2017) found significant shifts in bird species assemblages: i.e., a greater dominance of insectivorous and generalist species that persisted until the end of observations, two years post-hurricane. Similar changes were observed in two different locations in Puerto Rico following Hurricanes Irma and Maria (Wunderle 2017, Lloyd et al 2019.…”

Birds of the Land of Swallows: contribution of the main ecosystems of Cozumel Island to its avian diversity

“…Moreover, the presence of introduced invasive species such as the boa (Boa constrictor) has been identified as a threat to a broad variety of native species on islands, including endemics (Martínez-Morales and Cuarón 1999). The synergy of disasters including hurricanes or cyclones together with anthropogenic activities is an important trigger for the decline of endemic and endangered insular species (Perdomo-Velázquez et al 2017).…”

Temporal and Spatial Impacts of Hurricane Damage on West Nile Virus Transmission and Human Risk

“…Coastal bird species appear to be particularly vulnerable to hurricanes (Cely 1991, Marsh and Wilkinson 1991, Raynor et al 2013. Perdomo-Velázquez et al (2017) found significant reductions in understory forest birds in Yucatan, Mexico, for up to 3 years following consecutive hurricanes Wilma and Emily.…”