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FORT > Product Library > Publications > Effects of the Landscape Effects of the Landscape on Shorebird Movements at Spring Migration Stopovers
AbstractWe monitored the inter-wetland movements of 115 radio-tagged
Pectoral Sandpipers (Calidris melanotos) at three migration stopovers
in the Great Plains of North America during April and May from 1992 to
1995. While resident at a stopover, individuals were very localized in
their movements. Over 40% of the birds made no inter-wetland movements,
and over 90% of individuals moved less than 10 km from their original
release site. Characteristics of wetlands where birds were released did
not affect bird movements. However, the structure of the surrounding landscape
explained up to 46% of variation in individual bird movements. As the
distance between wetlands decreased, and the proportion of the landscape
composed of wetlands increased, individual birds moved between wetlands
more frequently and moved longer distances from their release site. These
movement patterns indicate that a more connected landscape allows shorebirds
to exploit more feeding sites with reduced searching costs; a result consistent
with foraging theory. We estimate a degree of landscape connectivity at
which a wetland complex functions as a single large wetland as measured
by sandpiper feeding patterns. Our data provide support for the idea that
complexes of small, closely spaced wetlands can be important migration
stopovers and may have significant conservation value. Citation: Farmer, A.H., and A.H. Parent. 1997. Effects of the landscape on shorebird movements at spring migration stopovers. Condor 99: 698-707. Reprinted with cooperation from Condor 1 U.S. Geological Survey, 2150 Centre Avenue, Bldg C, Fort Collins, CO 80526
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