Influence of Habitat Heterogeneity on Distribution, Occupancy Patterns, and Productivity of Breeding Peregrine Falcons in Central West Greenland
Abstract We used occupancy and productivity data collected at 67 cliffs used for nesting from 1972 to 1999 to assess patterns of distribution and nest-site selection in an increasing population of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) in central West Greenland. Peregrine Falcons breeding at tradition...
Published in: | The Condor |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Oxford University Press (OUP)
2006
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/condor/108.2.270 http://academic.oup.com/condor/article-pdf/108/2/270/29715284/condor0270.pdf |
id |
croxfordunivpr:10.1093/condor/108.2.270 |
---|---|
record_format |
openpolar |
spelling |
croxfordunivpr:10.1093/condor/108.2.270 2023-07-02T03:32:11+02:00 Influence of Habitat Heterogeneity on Distribution, Occupancy Patterns, and Productivity of Breeding Peregrine Falcons in Central West Greenland Wightman, Catherine S. Fuller, Mark R. 2006 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/condor/108.2.270 http://academic.oup.com/condor/article-pdf/108/2/270/29715284/condor0270.pdf en eng Oxford University Press (OUP) The Condor volume 108, issue 2, page 270-281 ISSN 0010-5422 1938-5129 Animal Science and Zoology Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics journal-article 2006 croxfordunivpr https://doi.org/10.1093/condor/108.2.270 2023-06-09T09:44:46Z Abstract We used occupancy and productivity data collected at 67 cliffs used for nesting from 1972 to 1999 to assess patterns of distribution and nest-site selection in an increasing population of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) in central West Greenland. Peregrine Falcons breeding at traditionally occupied cliffs used for nesting had significantly lower variation in productivity and thus these cliffs were better quality sites. This indicates that Peregrine Falcons occupied cliffs according to a pattern of despotic distribution. Falcons breeding at cliffs that were consistently occupied during the breeding season had higher average productivity and lower variation in productivity than falcons at inconsistently occupied cliffs, and thus consistent occupancy also was indicative of cliff quality. Features of high quality habitat included tall cliffs, greater change in elevation from the lowest point within 3 km of the cliff to the cliff top (elevation gain), and protection from weather on the eyrie ledge. Spacing of suitable and occupied cliffs also was an important feature, and the best cliffs generally were more isolated. Increased spacing was likely a mechanism for reducing intraspecific competition. Our results suggest that Peregrine Falcons use a resource defense strategy to compete for better quality habitats and may use spacing and physical features of a nest site to identify good quality breeding habitat. Article in Journal/Newspaper Falco peregrinus Greenland Oxford University Press (via Crossref) Greenland Eyrie ENVELOPE(-57.667,-57.667,-63.583,-63.583) The Eyrie ENVELOPE(-62.514,-62.514,66.592,66.592) The Condor 108 2 270 281 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Oxford University Press (via Crossref) |
op_collection_id |
croxfordunivpr |
language |
English |
topic |
Animal Science and Zoology Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics |
spellingShingle |
Animal Science and Zoology Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics Wightman, Catherine S. Fuller, Mark R. Influence of Habitat Heterogeneity on Distribution, Occupancy Patterns, and Productivity of Breeding Peregrine Falcons in Central West Greenland |
topic_facet |
Animal Science and Zoology Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics |
description |
Abstract We used occupancy and productivity data collected at 67 cliffs used for nesting from 1972 to 1999 to assess patterns of distribution and nest-site selection in an increasing population of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) in central West Greenland. Peregrine Falcons breeding at traditionally occupied cliffs used for nesting had significantly lower variation in productivity and thus these cliffs were better quality sites. This indicates that Peregrine Falcons occupied cliffs according to a pattern of despotic distribution. Falcons breeding at cliffs that were consistently occupied during the breeding season had higher average productivity and lower variation in productivity than falcons at inconsistently occupied cliffs, and thus consistent occupancy also was indicative of cliff quality. Features of high quality habitat included tall cliffs, greater change in elevation from the lowest point within 3 km of the cliff to the cliff top (elevation gain), and protection from weather on the eyrie ledge. Spacing of suitable and occupied cliffs also was an important feature, and the best cliffs generally were more isolated. Increased spacing was likely a mechanism for reducing intraspecific competition. Our results suggest that Peregrine Falcons use a resource defense strategy to compete for better quality habitats and may use spacing and physical features of a nest site to identify good quality breeding habitat. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Wightman, Catherine S. Fuller, Mark R. |
author_facet |
Wightman, Catherine S. Fuller, Mark R. |
author_sort |
Wightman, Catherine S. |
title |
Influence of Habitat Heterogeneity on Distribution, Occupancy Patterns, and Productivity of Breeding Peregrine Falcons in Central West Greenland |
title_short |
Influence of Habitat Heterogeneity on Distribution, Occupancy Patterns, and Productivity of Breeding Peregrine Falcons in Central West Greenland |
title_full |
Influence of Habitat Heterogeneity on Distribution, Occupancy Patterns, and Productivity of Breeding Peregrine Falcons in Central West Greenland |
title_fullStr |
Influence of Habitat Heterogeneity on Distribution, Occupancy Patterns, and Productivity of Breeding Peregrine Falcons in Central West Greenland |
title_full_unstemmed |
Influence of Habitat Heterogeneity on Distribution, Occupancy Patterns, and Productivity of Breeding Peregrine Falcons in Central West Greenland |
title_sort |
influence of habitat heterogeneity on distribution, occupancy patterns, and productivity of breeding peregrine falcons in central west greenland |
publisher |
Oxford University Press (OUP) |
publishDate |
2006 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/condor/108.2.270 http://academic.oup.com/condor/article-pdf/108/2/270/29715284/condor0270.pdf |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(-57.667,-57.667,-63.583,-63.583) ENVELOPE(-62.514,-62.514,66.592,66.592) |
geographic |
Greenland Eyrie The Eyrie |
geographic_facet |
Greenland Eyrie The Eyrie |
genre |
Falco peregrinus Greenland |
genre_facet |
Falco peregrinus Greenland |
op_source |
The Condor volume 108, issue 2, page 270-281 ISSN 0010-5422 1938-5129 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1093/condor/108.2.270 |
container_title |
The Condor |
container_volume |
108 |
container_issue |
2 |
container_start_page |
270 |
op_container_end_page |
281 |
_version_ |
1770271695320383488 |