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Transcript
Monitoring Wood Thrush Habitat using Geographical Information Systems Written By: Stephen Clark Background: During the spring and early summer of the U.S. eastern forests, the Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) can be observed hopping around the forest floor probing ground shrubs for insects. This native songbird, which was once significantly abundant in the United States, is now on a steady decline in numbers. Research shows this decline to be linked to increased forest fragmentation (which decreases the deciduous forest interior habitat where they succeed most) and the increase of nest parasitism caused by Brown Headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) (“Wood Thrush”2013). Habitat fragmentation is the alteration of a habitat to where it is broken down into various smaller more isolated areas. This process ultimately decreases the interior and increases edge habitat. An increase of edge habitat encourages invasive species of herbaceous plants and animals. Animals such as the brown headed cowbirds are attracted to new edge habitat where they can invade habitat that was once interior. When forests become fragmented, viable habitat of the Wood Thrush then become vulnerable to predation by chipmunks, racoons, blue jays, American crows, black rat snakes, brown-headed cowbirds, squirrels, great horned owls, sharp-shinned hawks, and house cats. I recommend the use of Geographical Information Systems to aid in measuring and monitoring of Wood Thrush habitat throughout the extent of its migratory range. GIS programming will allow us to measure the amount of forest fragmentation in viable Wood Thrush habitat as well as pinpoint habitat patches large enough to support healthy Wood Thrush populations. Literature Review: Past studies, conducted and published from the University of Delaware’s Ecology Woods by Weinberg and Roth (1998), show the direct relationship between Wood Thrush ecology and habitat area. When habitat area decreases so does the productivity of the Wood Thrush. In smaller more confined habitats (< 2 hectares) less than 51% of females’ time produce more than 2 offspring. Whereas in larger habitats (~15 hectares) females produced a lot more young and have proven to be more successful. Studies also show that larger habitat patches have lower predation rates in comparison to smaller fragmented areas. Result also showed that in larger habitat patches Wood Thrush nest were less predated and parasitized by cowbirds (Weinberg and Roth 1998). Cornell Lab of Ornithology concluded from their research that conservation efforts for the Wood Thrush are of little concern though numbers are significantly decreasing. But when you put all facts in perspective, population surveys (1966-2009) has the U.S. Wood Thrush population decline at a consistent rate of 2% per year. Meaning that population have decreased by about 50% since the initial monitoring process began. In due time as human development continuous to increase the home range of this species will gradually begin to decrease maybe even more than 2% a year. Conservation practices and efforts will allow Wood Thrush the greatest possible success in the future. Data Requirements: As previously stated GIS software will be of great use when monitoring Wood Thrush Habitat of the U.S eastern forests. The goal is to attain geographic data on the amounts of vegetation present throughout the Wood Thrushes migratory range. With the help of Landsat imaging when can create NDVI maps of this criteria. From these maps GIS analyst tools can provide the best habitat situation in relation to patch size. Seeing as Wood Thrush thrive in areas with a great deal of interior, the use of a Raster Calculator tool will help locate patches with areas greater than the suggested minimum habitat size of 20 hectares (Weinberg and Roth 1998). By locating these larger habitat patches using GIS, more time can be spent on research and conservation efforts. Anticipated Results: From the use of GIS I expect to locate large habitat patches throughout the Wood Thrush migratory range. Maps created from the GIS software will provide viable forest fragments that can be if benefit with increase Wood Thrush biodiversity. I expected for research groups to use these map and determine whether these large fragmented areas provide a positive situation for Wood Thrush too inhabit. If the land shows to be suitable necessary funding and conservation effort should be generously apportioned to Wood Thrush habitat. Policy Application: Research on the Wood Thrush will cause for their habitat to be better monitored and protected. State agencies, local authorities, and USDA will have set provisions on the upkeep of this species. In addition to federal and state policy. On a local level volunteer programs, schools, and social groups will play a huge role in educating the public on the importance of forest degradation, fragmentation, and wildlife. They will express to all how much we have an impact on nature as well has how much protecting it will have an impact on us. Budget: Product Quantity Cost 1 1,500 5 year plan 50,000 x 5 Undetermined 300,000 Education Aspect No Cost 0 Resources/ Volunteer No Cost 0 Estimated Total Cost = >551,500 Phases Start Finish Monitoring Services January 2014 January 2019 Collect GIS Data & Create Mapping Images January 2019 April 2019 Use Map: Survey Habitat May 2019 August 2019 GIS Software GIS Software Analyst Indirect Costs Timeframe: (5 year)* Work Cited Weinberg, H.J. 1998. Forest Area and Habitat Quality for Nesting Woodthrushes. Auk 115: 879-889. “Wood Thrush”. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Cornell University. 2013. 5 December 2013. Web