Species‐specific demographic and behavioral responses to food availability during migratory stopover

Tucker, Anna M.; McGowan, Conor P.; Lyons, James E.; DeRose-Wilson, Audrey; Clark, Nigel A.

doi:10.1002/1438-390x.12094

Cited by 6 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 82 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This variation in methodologies — as well as variation in their interpretation — has led to persistent uncertainty about the number of knots using specific sites, as well as about the total number occurring along the Atlantic Flyway. We hypothesize that our higher estimates of knots using KSI relative to previous estimates from the site and those from other sites along the Atlantic Coast may be a result of either interannual variation in site usage as suggested by Tucker et al (2021) and our geolocator data (Fig. 4), improved resighting effort and statistical methodologies, an actual shift in site usage by knots, or a combination of the three.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…Using a superpopulation model, we estimated that the 24-km stretch of sandy beaches on Kiawah and Seabrook islands in South Carolina hosted at least 17,247 (95% CI: 13,548, 22,099) knots from February-May 2021, representing ~41% of the estimated global rufa knot population of 42,000 individuals (Andres et al 2012). While knot site fidelity to individual sites may exhibit large interannual variation (Piersma et al 2021, Tucker et al 2021) depending on the conditions and resource dynamics of the region (van Gils et al 2005), our study suggests that KSI is a critical site for knots along the Atlantic Coast and deserves increased recognition and conservation attention.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Because of the variability of knot migratory patterns and their on-going population declines (Piersma et al 2021, Tucker et al 2021), it is critical to recognize the threats that knots are facing across the Atlantic Flyway. Delaware Bay, for instance, has suffered a > 75% decline in its use by knots since 1990, which Niles et al (2009) suggested is likely related to declines in horseshoe crab numbers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Delaware Bay — one of the best studied stopover sites for knots — exemplifies this dependency. Knot arrival at Delaware Bay coincides with the spawning of the horseshoe crabs ( Limulus polyphemus) on which they feed in order to refuel and continue their migrations to the Arctic (Niles et al 2008, McGowan et al 2011, Tucker et al 2021). Delaware Bay, however, represents only one site within a larger network of beaches, estuaries, and barrier islands (Cohen et al 2009, 2010a,b, Tuma & Powell 2021) that share a suite of pressures including anthropogenic disturbance (Burger et al 2007), coastal development (Buler & Moore, 2011), and unsustainable prey harvest practices (Niles et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Kiawah and Seabrook islands are a critical site for therufaRed Knot (Calidris canutus rufa)

Pelton

Padula

Garcia-Walther

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The rufa red knot (Calidris canutus rufa) is a migratory shorebird that performs one of the longest known trans-hemispheric migrations of any bird species - from their breeding grounds in the Canadian Arctic to their nonbreeding grounds as far south as Tierra del Fuego - and they have experienced a population decline of over 85% in recent decades. During migration, they rest and refuel at stopover sites along the Atlantic Coast, including Kiawah and Seabrook islands in South Carolina. Here, we document the importance of Kiawah and Seabrook islands for knots by providing population and stopover estimates during their spring migration. We conducted on-the-ground surveys between 19 February - 20 May 2021 to record the occurrence of individually marked knots. In addition, we quantified the ratio of marked to unmarked knots and deployed geolocators on knots captured in the area. Using a superpopulation model, we estimated a passage population of 17,247 knots (~41% of the total rufa knot population) and an average stopover duration of 47 days. Our geolocator results also showed that knots using Kiawah and Seabrook islands can bypass Delaware Bay and fly directly to the Canadian Arctic. Finally, our geolocators, combined with resighting data from across the Atlantic Flyway, indicate that a large network of more than 70 coastal sites mostly concentrated along the coasts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina provide stopover and overwintering habitat for the knots we observed on Kiawah and Seabrook islands. These findings corroborate that Kiawah and Seabrook islands should be recognized as critical sites in the knot network and, therefore, a conservation priority. As a result, the threats facing the sites - such as prey management issues, anthropogenic disturbance, and sea level rise - require immediate attention.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Kiawah and Seabrook islands are a critical site for therufaRed Knot (Calidris canutus rufa)

Pelton

Padula

Garcia-Walther

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The IPM consists of three submodels analyzed simultaneously (Figure 1) and involving parameters interlinked by the model structure (Table 1). The mark‐resight data were analyzed using an open robust design model (Tucker, McGowan, et al, 2022) to estimate apparent annual survival probability as well as parameters related to the within‐season processes of arrival and persistence at the site. The count data were analyzed using a state‐space model to estimate the change in population size between years while accounting for counting error.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating recruitment rate and population dynamics at a migratory stopover site using an integrated population model

Tucker

McGowan

Nuse³

et al. 2023

Ecosphere

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Consideration of the full annual cycle population dynamics can provide useful insight for conservation efforts, but collecting data needed to estimate demographic parameters is often logistically difficult. For species that breed in remote areas, monitoring is often conducted during migratory stopover or at nonbreeding sites, and the recruitment rate of new breeding adults can be difficult to estimate directly. Here, we present an integrated population model that uses mark-resight and count data to estimate survival probability, population growth rate, and recruitment rate for an Arctic-breeding shorebird of conservation concern, the red knot (Calidris canutus rufa), from data collected during spring stopover in Delaware Bay, USA, from 2005 to 2018. At this site, red knots feed primarily on the eggs of spawning horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus), a legally harvested species. We used this model to estimate the relationship between horseshoe crab abundance and red knot demographics, which informed a recent revision to the framework used to establish horseshoe crab harvest regulations. Our analysis indicates that the red knot population was most likely stable from 2005 to 2018 (average λ = 1.03, 95% credible

show abstract

Assessment of recovery potential for the American horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus): An application of the IUCN green status process

Smith

Brockmann

Carmichael

et al. 2023

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

According to an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessment (RLA), the American horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus), an iconic coastal species, is at risk of extirpation in some regions within its range where small and vulnerable populations occur. However, the RLA does not consider future status beyond viability and does not attempt to identify the conservation necessary to effectively mitigate threats and recover the species to full ecological functionality. To aid in conservation planning for vulnerable species, the IUCN developed the Green Status of Species assessment (GSA) process to complement the RLA. This paper describes the application of the GSA process to assess the recovery potential of the American horseshoe crab. First, specific Limulus populations within spatial units for conservation were delineated, and their statuses were defined based on viability and ecological functionality. Then conservation actions were identified that would promote recovery and affect their near‐ and long‐term population status under different conservation scenarios. Horseshoe crab conservation has relied on, and will continue to depend on, effective harvest regulation. However, as currently conceived, conservation is not expected to mitigate habitat loss at the scale required to restore range‐wide ecological functionality, primarily because habitat loss is widespread and affected by climate change. Thus, the GSA results, while indicating that there is potential for near‐term recovery gains, reveal that long‐term recovery is in doubt owing to expected loss of habitat. To conserve critical habitats for spawning and early life stages and achieve ecological functionality, it is imperative to identify and develop conservation plans at appropriate spatial scales. Unfortunately, such plans do not currently exist and need to be established. The GSA Green Score can then serve as a metric for monitoring recovery and gauging the effectiveness of conservation implementation.

show abstract

Species‐specific demographic and behavioral responses to food availability during migratory stopover

Cited by 6 publications

References 82 publications

Kiawah and Seabrook islands are a critical site for therufaRed Knot (Calidris canutus rufa)

Kiawah and Seabrook islands are a critical site for therufaRed Knot (Calidris canutus rufa)

Estimating recruitment rate and population dynamics at a migratory stopover site using an integrated population model

Assessment of recovery potential for the American horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus): An application of the IUCN green status process

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About