Nest-site selection of a subarctic-breeding shorebird: evidence for tree avoidance without fitness consequences
Vegetation communities in the subarctic are at risk of change due to climate-driven tree and shrub encroachment. Vegetation change may lead to unsuitable habitat for arctic-breeding birds, many of whom are declining. Although many possible factors are contributing to their decline, loss of breeding...
Published in: | Canadian Journal of Zoology |
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2019-0264 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/full-xml/10.1139/cjz-2019-0264 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/cjz-2019-0264 |
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crcansciencepubl:10.1139/cjz-2019-0264 2024-09-15T18:00:45+00:00 Nest-site selection of a subarctic-breeding shorebird: evidence for tree avoidance without fitness consequences Holmes, G.I. Koloski, L. Nol, E. 2020 http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2019-0264 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/full-xml/10.1139/cjz-2019-0264 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/cjz-2019-0264 en eng Canadian Science Publishing http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/page/about/CorporateTextAndDataMining Canadian Journal of Zoology volume 98, issue 9, page 573-580 ISSN 0008-4301 1480-3283 journal-article 2020 crcansciencepubl https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2019-0264 2024-08-15T04:09:29Z Vegetation communities in the subarctic are at risk of change due to climate-driven tree and shrub encroachment. Vegetation change may lead to unsuitable habitat for arctic-breeding birds, many of whom are declining. Although many possible factors are contributing to their decline, loss of breeding habitat could be a major contributor. We examined nest-site selection in Dunlin (Calidris alpina hudsonia (Todd, 1953)), a shorebird that nests in open fen habitats in the Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, region. Our objective was to determine whether this species avoids treed habitats and the possible fitness consequences for this. We examined the role of vegetative horizontal and vertical concealments on nest-site selection and nest fate. Dunlin selected nest sites with lower densities of trees than present at unused sites (40 m radius). Both horizontal and vertical concealments were significantly greater at nests than at unused sites, and horizontal concealment was greatest in the north. No measure of tree density or height, or concealment, significantly predicted nest fate. Although Dunlin appear to select nest sites that may minimize exposure to northerly winds and that may provide cover against potential predators, the current nest-site characteristics are not reinforced by contemporary selection. Article in Journal/Newspaper Calidris alpina Churchill Dunlin Subarctic Canadian Science Publishing Canadian Journal of Zoology 98 9 573 580 |
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Open Polar |
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Canadian Science Publishing |
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crcansciencepubl |
language |
English |
description |
Vegetation communities in the subarctic are at risk of change due to climate-driven tree and shrub encroachment. Vegetation change may lead to unsuitable habitat for arctic-breeding birds, many of whom are declining. Although many possible factors are contributing to their decline, loss of breeding habitat could be a major contributor. We examined nest-site selection in Dunlin (Calidris alpina hudsonia (Todd, 1953)), a shorebird that nests in open fen habitats in the Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, region. Our objective was to determine whether this species avoids treed habitats and the possible fitness consequences for this. We examined the role of vegetative horizontal and vertical concealments on nest-site selection and nest fate. Dunlin selected nest sites with lower densities of trees than present at unused sites (40 m radius). Both horizontal and vertical concealments were significantly greater at nests than at unused sites, and horizontal concealment was greatest in the north. No measure of tree density or height, or concealment, significantly predicted nest fate. Although Dunlin appear to select nest sites that may minimize exposure to northerly winds and that may provide cover against potential predators, the current nest-site characteristics are not reinforced by contemporary selection. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Holmes, G.I. Koloski, L. Nol, E. |
spellingShingle |
Holmes, G.I. Koloski, L. Nol, E. Nest-site selection of a subarctic-breeding shorebird: evidence for tree avoidance without fitness consequences |
author_facet |
Holmes, G.I. Koloski, L. Nol, E. |
author_sort |
Holmes, G.I. |
title |
Nest-site selection of a subarctic-breeding shorebird: evidence for tree avoidance without fitness consequences |
title_short |
Nest-site selection of a subarctic-breeding shorebird: evidence for tree avoidance without fitness consequences |
title_full |
Nest-site selection of a subarctic-breeding shorebird: evidence for tree avoidance without fitness consequences |
title_fullStr |
Nest-site selection of a subarctic-breeding shorebird: evidence for tree avoidance without fitness consequences |
title_full_unstemmed |
Nest-site selection of a subarctic-breeding shorebird: evidence for tree avoidance without fitness consequences |
title_sort |
nest-site selection of a subarctic-breeding shorebird: evidence for tree avoidance without fitness consequences |
publisher |
Canadian Science Publishing |
publishDate |
2020 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2019-0264 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/full-xml/10.1139/cjz-2019-0264 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/cjz-2019-0264 |
genre |
Calidris alpina Churchill Dunlin Subarctic |
genre_facet |
Calidris alpina Churchill Dunlin Subarctic |
op_source |
Canadian Journal of Zoology volume 98, issue 9, page 573-580 ISSN 0008-4301 1480-3283 |
op_rights |
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/page/about/CorporateTextAndDataMining |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2019-0264 |
container_title |
Canadian Journal of Zoology |
container_volume |
98 |
container_issue |
9 |
container_start_page |
573 |
op_container_end_page |
580 |
_version_ |
1810437924989173760 |