Potential Influences of Climate and Nest Structure on Spotted Owl Reproductive Success: A Biophysical Approach

Rockweit, Jeremy T.; Franklin, Alan B.; Bakken, George S.; Gutiérrez, R. J.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0041498

Cited by 16 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Cavity nests also typically last longer than platform nests (Folliard , Forsman and Giese ). Thus, the cavities used here likely provide more stable and higher‐quality nest sites than platform nests used here and elsewhere (Rockweit et al ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…Mexican spotted owls in the Sacramento Mountains nested in white fir and in cavities and broken‐topped trees or snags more frequently than owls in other study areas (Seamans and Gutiérrez , May et al ). Cavities, especially cavities located in broken‐topped trees, provide more favorable thermal environments than platform nests, (Rockweit et al ). Cavity nests also typically last longer than platform nests (Folliard , Forsman and Giese ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nesting habitat of Mexican spotted owls in the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico

et al. 2013

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Understanding the habitat relationships of rare species is critical to conserving populations and habitats of those species. Nesting habitat is suspected to limit distribution of the threatened Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida), and may vary among geographic regions. We studied selection of nesting habitat by Mexican spotted owls within their home ranges in the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico. We compared characteristics of owl nest trees and nest sites to characteristics of randomly located trees and sites at 2 spatial scales: the general nest vicinity and within activity centers used by spotted owls. Owls nested primarily in mixed-conifer forest (92%), and most nested in cavities in trees or snags (48%), or in dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium spp.) witches' brooms (36%). Owl nest trees had greater levels of dwarf mistletoe infection and were larger in diameter than random trees at both of the evaluated spatial scales. Nest trees also were more likely than random trees to be in white fir (Abies concolor) or Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and in trees or snags with broken tops. Differences between owl nest sites and random sites differed with the scale at which we selected random sites, but at both scales examined, owl nest sites had greater canopy cover and more basal area contributed by large trees and white fir than random sites. In addition, most nest sites occurred in drainage bottoms or on the lower 2 thirds of north-or east-facing slopes. Conservation of owl nesting habitat in this area will require retaining forest patches with high canopy cover and large trees containing cavities or large dwarf mistletoe witches' brooms. Locating forest management treatments on ridgetops or the upper third of slopes and/or on south-or west-facing slopes may reduce impacts to owl nesting habitat while simultaneously targeting the drier forest types most in need of restoration. Ó 2013 The Wildlife Society.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nesting habitat of Mexican spotted owls in the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico

et al. 2013

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“…This is important for the owls as they live in northern regions of America that are characterized by inclement weather during the nesting season, and the owl pairs which chose sites out of the wind had higher reproductive success than pairs in exposed sites (Rockweit et al 2012). The orientation of Gila Woodpecker nests changed temporally throughout the year.…”

Section: Environmental Adjustmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

The design and function of birds' nests

Mainwaring

Hartley

Lambrechts

et al. 2014

Ecology and Evolution

322

346

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All birds construct nests in which to lay eggs and/or raise offspring. Traditionally, it was thought that natural selection and the requirement to minimize the risk of predation determined the design of completed nests. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that sexual selection also influences nest design. This is an important development as while species such as bowerbirds build structures that are extended phenotypic signals whose sole purpose is to attract a mate, nests contain eggs and/or offspring, thereby suggesting a direct trade-off between the conflicting requirements of natural and sexual selection. Nest design also varies adaptively in order to both minimize the detrimental effects of parasites and to create a suitable microclimate for parents and developing offspring in relation to predictable variation in environmental conditions. Our understanding of the design and function of birds' nests has increased considerably in recent years, and the evidence suggests that nests have four nonmutually exclusive functions. Consequently, we conclude that the design of birds' nests is far more sophisticated than previously realized and that nests are multifunctional structures that have important fitness consequences for the builder/s.

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“…1). Orientation of cavity entrance can be a response to environmental factors such as wind, precipitation, and exposure to solar radiation (Rockweit et al 2012). Cooling of eggs during incubation or of hatchlings during brooding can reduce offspring fitness or even cause mortality (Webb 1987).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cooling of eggs during incubation or of hatchlings during brooding can reduce offspring fitness or even cause mortality (Webb 1987). Because adults need to leave the nest to forage and provide food to hatchlings, selection of a nest site with a favorable microclimate or that reduces environmental oscillations could improve nestling survival (Lyon and Montgomerie 1985, Burton 2007, Rockweit et al 2012. At our study site, nights can be cool during the incubation period (average minimum temperature was 9.8uC in August 2007 and 8.9uC in August 2008), and mean directionality (northeast) of cavity entrance was within ,45 degrees of sunrise, which could be important for regulating the microclimate of nest cavities early in the morning.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%