Avian fitness consequences match habitat selection at the nest‐site and landscape scale in agriculturally fragmented landscapes

Abstract

Habitat selection theory suggests that when choosing breeding sites, animals should choose the best available habitat; however, studies show that individuals fail to choose habitats that maximize their fitness especially in drastically altered landscapes. Many studies have focused on selection at single scales, often using a single measure of fitness. However, links between habitat selection and fitness may vary depending on the spatial scale and measure of fitness, especially in situations where agricultural land use has altered the surrounding landscape. We examined multiscale habitat selection and fitness measures of the Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii) and Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) using data collected in agriculturally fragmented landscapes. We found evidence for selection of nest sites with dense understory, larger patches, and increasing restored habitat cover and decreasing forest cover in the surrounding landscape. For both focal species, selection for dense understory significantly increased nest survival; however, there appeared to be no concurrent benefit for fledgling production. Selection for broader scale features positively influenced nest survival for the Willow Flycatcher with no concurrent benefit for fledgling production. The observed mismatches may be due to anthropogenic habitat fragmentation at broader scales or may represent reproductive trade‐offs for a fitness benefit not measured in this study. Fine‐scale habitat selection decisions by our focal species appear to match fitness outcomes, whereas habitat selection at broader scales only provided fitness benefits for the Willow Flycatcher. Though providing no fledgling production benefit, when combined with suitably dense nesting habitat, larger patches in landscapes with greater amounts of restored habitat cover for Bell's Vireo and lower amounts of forest cover for Willow Flycatcher will produce more fledglings per unit area than smaller patches in landscapes with less restored habitat and more forest cover, respectively, which could help inform conservation decisions for these at‐risk species.

Territory and population attributes affect Florida scrub‐jay fecundity in fire‐adapted ecosystems

“…Understanding the effect of habitat quality on Florida scrub‐jay habitat preference, reproductive success, and survival is useful to inform adaptive management, especially to determine which successional state is needed for sustainable population growth (Breininger et al, 1995 , 2009 ; Breininger, Duncan, et al, 2014 ; Eaton et al, 2021 ; Johnson et al, 2011 ; Williams et al, 2011 ). Understanding such habitat effects at multiple spatial scales is generally important in species management, as management actions at nest sites (e.g., protect nest trees) might differ from management actions of territory condition or actions across a larger unit of landscape (Purcell & McGregor, 2021 ; Reiley & Benson, 2019 ; Routhier et al, 2020 ). Our results support a management objective that aims for a large proportion of strong territories because only strong had fecundity rates able to sustain populations taking all habitat‐specific mortality rates and nonbreeder effects into account (Lacy & Breininger, 2021 ).…”

Fine‐scale resource selection and behavioral tradeoffs of eastern wild turkey broods

“…Understory vegetation is important for providing concealment cover from visual predators and foraging opportunities for poults (Randell 2003, Backs and Bledsoe 2011). The value of vegetation is likely distinguishable by birds at 2 scales (Reiley and Benson 2019): a coarser scale where overall 3‐dimensional structure provides cover in the form of concealment and shade (Rakowski et al 2019), and a finer scale where species‐specific understory communities affect locomotion and forage (Healy 1985, McCord et al 2014). Therefore, habitat selection of turkey broods may be affected by vegetation structure and composition but also availability of thermal refuge and arthropods; however, an optimal combination of these features may not concurrently occur at sites across the southeastern United States.…”

Applying hierarchical resource selection concepts to solving crop damage caused by birds

“…Whooping Cranes ( Grus americana ) exhibit a mixture of generalist and specialist habitat selection behavior as well but they appear to be generalists among home ranges within regions and specialists among regions within biomes (Austin, Hayes, & Barzen, 2019). Reiley and Benson (2019) demonstrated that similar differences between fine and landscape scale selection was related to fitness in Bell's Vireo ( Vireo bellii ) and Willow Flycatchers ( Empidonax traillii ). Presumably, where scale of selection has strong influence on fitness, individuals will be more sensitive to changes in habitat conditions.…”