Weathering the Storm: How Wind and Waves Impact Western Grebe Nest Placement and Success

Allen, Joseph H.; Nuechterlein, Gary L.; Buitron, Deborah

doi:10.1675/1524-4695-31.3.402

Cited by 17 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Bulrush is used for nest anchoring and construction [16] , [32] , [49] , [50] , and therefore serves as an important component of habitat. Ample emergent vegetation is needed to establish a nesting colony and serves as protection from wave action or other disturbances [51] , [52] . Damage to or elimination of this vegetation along the shoreline (e.g., beach development) reduces the availability of colony locations and nesting material.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Latent Selection Difference to Model Persistence in a Declining Population

2014

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Population persistence is a direct measure of the viability of a population. Monitoring the distribution of declining populations or subpopulations over time can yield estimates of persistence, which we show can be modeled as a latent selection difference (LSD) contrasting attributes of sites where populations have persisted versus those that have not. Predicted persistence can be modeled with predictor covariates to identify factors correlated with species persistence. We demonstrate how to model persistence based on changes in occupancy that can include adjustments for detection probability. Using a known historical distribution of the western grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis), we adapted methods originally developed for occupancy modeling to evaluate how environmental covariates including emergent vegetation and human developments have affected western grebe persistence in Alberta. The relative probability of persistence was correlated with the extent of shoreline bulrush (Scirpus lacustris), which is important vegetation for nesting cover. We also documented that western grebe populations were less likely to persist on lakes in the boreal forest, primarily located on the northern boundary of the species' range. Factors influencing occupancy were different than those determining persistence by western grebes; persistence and occupancy were not correlated. Persistence was more likely on lakes with recreational development, reflecting reliance by grebes on the larger, fish-bearing waterbodies that also are attractive for lakeshore development. Unfortunately, the correlation with recreational development on Alberta's lakes puts grebes at risk for loss of brood-rearing habitats—primary threats to altricial birds—if steps are not taken to prevent disturbance to bulrush stands. Identifying factors related to the persistence of a species—especially one in decline—is a fundamental step in conservation management.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Latent Selection Difference to Model Persistence in a Declining Population

2014

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“…As a result, the habitat surrounding these forested lakes is vastly different from other lakes known to support the Western Grebe, such as those within extensive marsh systems bordered by arid desert (Lindvall and Low 1982) or prairie pothole regions in the Great Plains (Allen et al 2008). Nevertheless, substantial Western Grebe breeding colonies still occur on some of the more northerly lakes in our study area.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Habitat associations with counts of declining Western Grebes in Alberta, Canada

Erickson¹,

Found-Jackson²,

Boyce³

2017

ACE

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ABSTRACT. During the past several decades, numbers of Western Grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis) have declined throughout their breeding and wintering ranges in North America. We estimated Western Grebe abundance and documented habitat factors between 2007 and 2009 from 43 lakes in Alberta, Canada where Western Grebes historically have occurred, to (1) compare Western Grebe abundance with the relative probability of persistence, and (2) identify habitat correlates of grebe abundance. The relative probability of Western Grebe persistence was correlated with abundance in the study area, although only 19% of the variation in persistence probability was explained by abundance. Western Grebe abundance was positively correlated with the shoreline extent of emergent bulrush (Scirpus lacustris), which is consistent with past studies and underlies the importance of protecting emergent vegetation in efforts to conserve Western Grebes. Grebe abundance also was positively correlated with a longer shoreline perimeter, but was inversely correlated with the amount of forested backshore, which occurred on lakes primarily at the northern margins of Western Grebe range. The amount of backshore development was positively associated with Western Grebe abundance, which might reflect a preference for similar lake characteristics by humans and grebes. These relationships are important to consider in the context of implementing and managing recovery of the Western Grebe in Alberta. La probabilité relative de persistance du Grèbe élégant était corrélée avec son abondance dans l'aire d'étude, quoique 19 % seulement de la variabilité de la probabilité de persistance était expliquée par l'abondance. L'abondance de ce grèbe était positivement corrélée avec l'étendue de joncs émergents (Scirpus lacustris) sur les rives, un résultat conforme aux études passées et qui souligne l'importance de protéger la végétation émergente pour la conservation du Grèbe élégant. L'abondance de ce grèbe était aussi corrélée positivement avec un grand périmètre de rive, mais était inversement corrélée avec la quantité de haut de plage forestier, qu'on trouve principalement sur les lacs situés à la limite nord de l'aire du Grèbe élégant. Le degré de sinuosité du haut de plage était positivement associé avec l'abondance de ce grèbe, ce qui reflète sans doute une préférence pour des caractéristiques de lacs similaires chez les humains et les grèbes. Ces relations sont importantes à considérer dans la mise en place et la gestion du rétablissement du Grèbe élégant en Alberta. Associations entre l'habitat et les dénombrements de

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“…Exposure to high winds also impacted Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis nest placement, although differences in fetch were not appreciable enough for the authors of that study to examine it specifically (Allen et al . 2008). Black Oystercatcher nests were found predominantly in areas with higher fetch, probably due to greater prey abundance along more exposed coasts, but the number declined sharply at extremely high‐exposure sites, presumably due to the risk of washout (Dalgarno et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In other systems, birds often interact with fetch and wind via vegetation structure or food supplies (Allen et al . 2008, Dalgarno et al . 2017) but we were unable to investigate the effects that fetch and wind‐related ocean mixing may have on the marine community on which Antarctic seabirds rely.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of wind fetch in structuring Antarctic seabird breeding occupancy

Schrimpf

Lynch

2021

Ibis

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Avian breeding sites located along shorelines may allow easy access to aquatic food sources, but risk exposing birds and nests to high wind and wave action. One measure of exposure is wind fetch, the distance of open water over which wind can blow uninterrupted. By calculating fetch weighted by prevailing wind direction for breeding colonies of pursuit‐diving seabirds in the Antarctic Peninsula, we show that different members of this guild have opposing relationships to coastline exposure. Gentoo Penguins Pygoscelis papua preferentially occupied more enclosed sites with lower fetch. Surprisingly, however, Chinstrap Penguins Pygoscelis antarcticus and Antarctic Shags Leucocarbo bransfieldensis appear to prefer more exposed sites. Although considerable research has been devoted to understanding Antarctic seabird habitat suitability, the role of wind and wave exposure has not been considered in depth, in part because comprehensive data on colony presence and absence have only recently been made available. We propose several mechanisms for why fetch may act to differentiate niches among this guild. These findings may increase our ability to identify suitable breeding areas for these and other near‐shore breeding species as they respond to climate change.

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Weathering the Storm: How Wind and Waves Impact Western Grebe Nest Placement and Success

Cited by 17 publications

References 15 publications

Using Latent Selection Difference to Model Persistence in a Declining Population

Using Latent Selection Difference to Model Persistence in a Declining Population

Habitat associations with counts of declining Western Grebes in Alberta, Canada

The role of wind fetch in structuring Antarctic seabird breeding occupancy

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