Sod farms drive habitat selection of a migratory grassland shorebird during a critical stopover period.
Sci Rep
; 14(1): 20973, 2024 09 09.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39251699
ABSTRACT
Migratory shorebirds are one of the fastest declining groups of North American avifauna. Yet, relatively little is known about how these species select habitat during migration. We explored the habitat selection of Buff-breasted Sandpipers (Calidris subruficollis) during spring and fall migration through the Texas Coastal Plain, a major stopover region for this species. Using tracking data from 118 birds compiled over 4 years, we found Buff-breasted Sandpipers selected intensively managed crops such as sod and short-stature crop fields, but generally avoided rangeland and areas near trees and shrubs. This work supports prior studies that also indicate the importance of short-stature vegetation for this species. Use of sod and corn varied by season, with birds preferring sod in spring, and avoiding corn when it is tall, but selecting for corn in fall after harvest. This dependence on cropland in the Texas Coastal Plain is contrary to habitat use observed in other parts of their non-breeding range, where rangelands are used extensively. The species' almost complete reliance on a highly specialized crop, sod, at this critical stopover site raises concerns about potential exposure to contaminants as well as questions about whether current management practices are providing suitable conditions for migratory grassland birds.
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Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Estações do Ano
/
Ecossistema
/
Migração Animal
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Sci Rep
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos
País de publicação:
Reino Unido