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ADAMS THESIS 2014.pdf (1.94 MB)

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Influences of a human-dominated landscape on midwestern breeding bird occupancy and diversity

Adams, Bryce T
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1395235933

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Biological Sciences.
Human land use dominates the globe, and ecologists and developers are challenged to incorporate effective conservation strategies into human-dominated landscapes that maximize biodiversity and minimize impacts to growth and production. I sought to contribute to general ecological theory by examining the effects of human-dominated landscapes on diversity and distribution patterns of midwestern breeding birds in the Oak Openings Region of northwestern Ohio from 23 May to 2 July 2013 and from 230 point count locations. To better understand the relative importance of matrix, habitat, and localized development, I modeled occurrences of 18 species of birds using an occupancy modeling framework, and occurrences of 10 of those 18 species were best explained by matrix quality over habitat loss and fragmentation. I investigated the importance of habitat structural diversity on diversity patterns of 3 guilds: Neotropical, Nearctic, and exotic species. My diversity models indicated that Neotropical diversity was best explained by habitat amount and secondarily by habitat structural diversity, while the Nearctic guild was best explained by habitat isolation and secondarily to habitat structural diversity. For a subset of survey locations distributed in the urban center, occurrences of native species were best explained by localized habitat amount and habitat structural diversity and not by the proximity to large natural reserves in the area. Finally, I used advances in distribution modeling techniques to predict the spatial distribution of Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus). My models predicted that habitat isolation and habitat amount were important determinants of occupancy for this species. My work suggests that midwestern breeding bird conservation should focus on conserving matrix quality, restoration of globally unique habitat types, and the addition of localized habitat features in the urban center.
Karen Root, Dr. (Advisor)
Shannon Pelini, Dr. (Committee Member)
Jeffrey Miner, Dr. (Committee Member)
218 p.
Biology; Ecology
Landscape Ecology; ornithology; occupancy; diversity; modeling

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Adams, B. T. (2014). Influences of a human-dominated landscape on midwestern breeding bird occupancy and diversity [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1395235933

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Adams, Bryce. Influences of a human-dominated landscape on midwestern breeding bird occupancy and diversity. 2014. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1395235933.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Adams, Bryce. "Influences of a human-dominated landscape on midwestern breeding bird occupancy and diversity." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1395235933

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1395235933
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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.