Prenesting Use of Intertidal Habitats by Piping Plovers on South Monomoy Island, Massachusetts

Fraser, James D.; Keane, Shannon E.; Buckley, P. A.

doi:10.2193/0022-541x(2005)69[1731:puoihb]2.0.co;2

Cited by 24 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…However, when we applied the same buffer size to adult locations, we found that as many as 44% of locations had ≥1 pixel in the error buffer that did not agree with the point land‐cover class, suggesting a 44% chance of habitat type misclassification due to unincorporated error. Adult piping plovers use a variety of habitats, such as dry sand for nesting, and sparse vegetation and moist sand for foraging (Goldin and Regosin , Elias et al , Fraser et al ), and often are found in more heterogeneous locations than their nest site alone would suggest. Increased habitat heterogeneity may increase the probability of misclassifying habitats of bird locations, even when considering modest error buffers, thus highlighting the importance of accounting for location error during habitat selection studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Error in Locations of Conspicuous Wildlife Using Handheld GPS Units and Location Offset Methods

et al. 2020

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Collecting spatially explicit locations of individual animals often is an important part of the study of habitat use. Obtaining accurate locations without disturbing an individual can be difficult for small species and may be limited for species of conservation concern, such as piping plover (Charadrius melodus), where a close approach is undesirable because of the potential for disturbance. To reduce disturbance while estimating an animal's location, an observer can collect their location using Global Positioning System (GPS) and offset that position using a distance and azimuth. Typically, error is not considered when these locations are determined, despite the potential effects of inaccuracy on habitat association results. Therefore, our objectives were to quantify potential error using the offset method and then evaluate how that error may manifest. During the plover breeding season in 2017 (Apr through Sep), we tested the error of Trimble GPS units compared with benchmark locations to assess the accuracy of locations derived from these units. We then assessed the error associated with offset locations of a small target using Trimble GPS units, laser rangefinders, and 2 compass types. Finally, we determined the potential consequence of unaccounted error in our system by comparing the difference between point locations and land‐cover data using our estimated error as a point buffer. Average error of the GPS units at benchmark locations was 0.95 m. The mean error of the offset locations increased with increasing observer distance from the decoy location (from truex¯ = 2.9 m to 7.6 m at distances of 20 m and 100 m, respectively). Error also increased with increasing error in the distance and azimuth measurements, and was greater using a digital GPS compass as compared with a handheld magnetic compass corrected for magnetic declination. In addition, potential misclassification of land‐cover type increased with increasing potential location error. When modeling animal locations, the error of point locations using this method, especially for land‐cover at the point location, should be accounted for using appropriately sized position buffers. Using this location collection method, we can increase our knowledge and study of conspicuous species to ensure that we consider habitats used throughout the species' life stages. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Error in Locations of Conspicuous Wildlife Using Handheld GPS Units and Location Offset Methods

et al. 2020

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“…On the Atlantic coast, areas protected from wind and waves produced more invertebrate forage for Piping Plovers, were used more by Piping Plover chicks, and had higher survival rates of Piping Plover chicks than exposed areas (Loegering and Fraser 1995, Elias et al 2000, Fraser et al 2005). On Lake Sakakawea, exposed areas experienced more beach erosion from wave action, which led to expanses of gravelly substrate (Anteau et al 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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2014

The Condor

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“…; Fraser et al. ) as wet sand is not conducive for vegetation growth. Alternatively, vegetated areas may have higher predator densities or vegetation may affect an incubating plover's ability to detect predators and successfully perform a “broken‐wing” display.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Interdune vegetation was negatively associated with plover habitat use. Snowy plover brood avoidance of vegetation may negatively coincide with use of foraging areas that have wet sand (Loegering and Fraser 1995;Elias et al 2000;Fraser et al 2005) as wet sand is not conducive for vegetation growth. Alternatively, vegetated areas may have higher predator densities or vegetation may affect an incubating plover's ability to detect predators and successfully perform a "broken-wing" display.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human disturbance and stage‐specific habitat requirements influence snowy plover site occupancy during the breeding season

Webber

Heath

Fischer

2013

Ecology and Evolution

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Habitat use has important consequences for avian reproductive success and survival. In coastal areas with recreational activity, human disturbance may limit use of otherwise suitable habitat. Snowy plovers Charadrius nivosus have a patchy breeding distribution along the coastal areas on the Florida Panhandle, USA. Our goal was to determine the relative effects of seasonal human disturbance and habitat requirements on snowy plover habitat use. We surveyed 303 sites for snowy plovers, human disturbance, and habitat features between January and July 2009 and 2010. We made multiple visits during three different sampling periods that corresponded to snowy plover breeding: pre-breeding, incubation, and brood-rearing and used multi-season occupancy models to examine whether human disturbance, habitat features, or both influenced site occupancy, colonization (probability of transition from an unoccupied site to an occupied site), and extinction (probability of transition from an occupied site to an unoccupied site). Snowy plover site occupancy and colonization was negatively associated with human disturbance and site extinction was positively associated with human disturbance. Interdune vegetation had a negative effect on occupancy and colonization, indicating that plovers were less likely to use areas with uniform, dense vegetation among dunes. Also, dune shape, beach debris, and access to low-energy foraging areas influenced site occupancy, colonization, and extinction. Plovers used habitat based on beach characteristics that provided stage-specific resource needs; however, human disturbance was the strongest predictor of site occupancy. In addition, vegetation plantings used to enhance dune rehabilitation may negatively impact plover site occupancy. Management actions that decrease human disturbance, such as symbolic fencing and signage, may increase the amount of breeding habitat available to snowy plovers on the Florida Panhandle and in other areas with high human activity. The specific areas that require this protection may vary across snowy plover life history stages.

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Prenesting Use of Intertidal Habitats by Piping Plovers on South Monomoy Island, Massachusetts

Cited by 24 publications

References 13 publications

Assessing Error in Locations of Conspicuous Wildlife Using Handheld GPS Units and Location Offset Methods

Assessing Error in Locations of Conspicuous Wildlife Using Handheld GPS Units and Location Offset Methods

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Human disturbance and stage‐specific habitat requirements influence snowy plover site occupancy during the breeding season

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