Assessment of Rusty Blackbird Habitat Occupancy in the Long Range Mountains of Newfoundland, Canada Using Forest Inventory Data
Rusty blackbirds (<i>Euphagus carolinus</i>), once common across their boreal breeding distribution, have undergone steep, range-wide population declines. Newfoundland is home to what has been described as one of just two known subspecies (<i>E. c. nigrans</i>) and hosts some...
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doaj-441ebb84846d4d9baec06058fcf1ff342020-11-25T03:32:25ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182020-09-011234034010.3390/d12090340Assessment of Rusty Blackbird Habitat Occupancy in the Long Range Mountains of Newfoundland, Canada Using Forest Inventory DataKathleen K. E. Manson0Jenna P. B. McDermott1Luke L. Powell2Darroch M. Whitaker3Ian G. Warkentin4School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, CanadaCognitive and Behavioural Ecology Program, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X7, CanadaInstitute of Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UKParks Canada, Rocky Harbour, NL A0K 4N0, CanadaSchool of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, CanadaRusty blackbirds (<i>Euphagus carolinus</i>), once common across their boreal breeding distribution, have undergone steep, range-wide population declines. Newfoundland is home to what has been described as one of just two known subspecies (<i>E. c. nigrans</i>) and hosts some of the highest known densities of the species across its extensive breeding range. To contribute to a growing body of literature examining rusty blackbird breeding ecology, we studied habitat occupancy in Western Newfoundland. We conducted 1960 point counts across a systematic survey grid during the 2016 and 2017 breeding seasons, and modeled blackbird occupancy using forest resource inventory data. We also assessed the relationship between the presence of introduced red squirrels (<i>Tamiasciurus hudsonicus</i>), an avian nest predator, and blackbird occupancy. We evaluated 31 <i>a priori</i> models of blackbird probability of occurrence. Consistent with existing literature, the best predictors of blackbird occupancy were lakes and ponds, streams, rivers, and bogs. Red squirrels did not appear to have a strong influence on blackbird habitat occupancy. We are among the first to model rusty blackbird habitat occupancy using remotely-sensed landcover data; given the widespread availability of forest resource inventory data, this approach may be useful in conservation efforts for this and other rare but widespread boreal species. Given that Newfoundland may be a geographic stronghold for rusty blackbirds, future research should focus on this distinct population.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/9/340red squirrelborealwetland<i>Euphagus carolinus</i>point countremotely sensed landscape data |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Kathleen K. E. Manson Jenna P. B. McDermott Luke L. Powell Darroch M. Whitaker Ian G. Warkentin |
spellingShingle |
Kathleen K. E. Manson Jenna P. B. McDermott Luke L. Powell Darroch M. Whitaker Ian G. Warkentin Assessment of Rusty Blackbird Habitat Occupancy in the Long Range Mountains of Newfoundland, Canada Using Forest Inventory Data Diversity red squirrel boreal wetland <i>Euphagus carolinus</i> point count remotely sensed landscape data |
author_facet |
Kathleen K. E. Manson Jenna P. B. McDermott Luke L. Powell Darroch M. Whitaker Ian G. Warkentin |
author_sort |
Kathleen K. E. Manson |
title |
Assessment of Rusty Blackbird Habitat Occupancy in the Long Range Mountains of Newfoundland, Canada Using Forest Inventory Data |
title_short |
Assessment of Rusty Blackbird Habitat Occupancy in the Long Range Mountains of Newfoundland, Canada Using Forest Inventory Data |
title_full |
Assessment of Rusty Blackbird Habitat Occupancy in the Long Range Mountains of Newfoundland, Canada Using Forest Inventory Data |
title_fullStr |
Assessment of Rusty Blackbird Habitat Occupancy in the Long Range Mountains of Newfoundland, Canada Using Forest Inventory Data |
title_full_unstemmed |
Assessment of Rusty Blackbird Habitat Occupancy in the Long Range Mountains of Newfoundland, Canada Using Forest Inventory Data |
title_sort |
assessment of rusty blackbird habitat occupancy in the long range mountains of newfoundland, canada using forest inventory data |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Diversity |
issn |
1424-2818 |
publishDate |
2020-09-01 |
description |
Rusty blackbirds (<i>Euphagus carolinus</i>), once common across their boreal breeding distribution, have undergone steep, range-wide population declines. Newfoundland is home to what has been described as one of just two known subspecies (<i>E. c. nigrans</i>) and hosts some of the highest known densities of the species across its extensive breeding range. To contribute to a growing body of literature examining rusty blackbird breeding ecology, we studied habitat occupancy in Western Newfoundland. We conducted 1960 point counts across a systematic survey grid during the 2016 and 2017 breeding seasons, and modeled blackbird occupancy using forest resource inventory data. We also assessed the relationship between the presence of introduced red squirrels (<i>Tamiasciurus hudsonicus</i>), an avian nest predator, and blackbird occupancy. We evaluated 31 <i>a priori</i> models of blackbird probability of occurrence. Consistent with existing literature, the best predictors of blackbird occupancy were lakes and ponds, streams, rivers, and bogs. Red squirrels did not appear to have a strong influence on blackbird habitat occupancy. We are among the first to model rusty blackbird habitat occupancy using remotely-sensed landcover data; given the widespread availability of forest resource inventory data, this approach may be useful in conservation efforts for this and other rare but widespread boreal species. Given that Newfoundland may be a geographic stronghold for rusty blackbirds, future research should focus on this distinct population. |
topic |
red squirrel boreal wetland <i>Euphagus carolinus</i> point count remotely sensed landscape data |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/9/340 |
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