scholarly journals Nest site selection and nesting behavior of the mud turtle Kinosternon scorpiodes (Testudines, Kinosternidae) in Palo Verde National Park, Costa Rica: implications for management

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-287
Author(s):  
José M. Mora ◽  
Franklin E. Castañeda
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
National Park ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Litter Cover ◽  
Mud Turtle ◽  
Palo Verde National Park

Habitat selection is the process whereby individuals preferentially use, or occupy, a non-random set of available habitats. At the same time, nest site selection is defined as the placement of eggs by females at sites differing from random sites within a delimited area. We located 59 nests of the mud turtle Kinosternon scorpioides in Palo Verde National Park (PVNP) in Northwestern Costa Rica. We compared eight microhabitat variables at nest sites against those at random sites. Females significantly placed their eggs at sites with more understory, leaf litter cover, and greater leaf litter depth than in random sites. Additionally, females selected sites with lower air and soil temperature and lower air humidity. Palo Verde NP is subject to active management actions designed to control invasive plant species in the wetland, namely cattail (Thypha domingensis Pers.). The main actions have been cattle grazing, controlled fires, and mechanical crushing of vegetation. We found that habitat quality in nesting areas is being threatened by at least one of these actions: cattle grazing. This is detrimental for three microhabitat traits that turtles select for nesting sites: understory cover, leaf litter cover, and leaf litter depth. The continued degradation of microhabitats at nesting areas of K. scorpioides at PVNP could be affecting recruitment due to embryo survivorship.

scholarly journals Lark Sparrow (Chondestes Grammacus) Nest-Site Selection and Success in a Mixed-Grass Prairie

The Auk ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey J. Lusk ◽  
Kimberly Suedkamp Wells ◽  
Fred S. Guthery ◽  
Samuel D. Fuhlendorf
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Mixed Grass Prairie ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Litter Cover ◽  
Mixed Grass ◽  
Chondestes Grammacus

Abstract Lark Sparrows (Chondestes grammacus) are declining throughout most of their range. Effective management for this species is hampered because relatively little is known about nesting ecology. We studied habitat characteristics affecting Lark Sparrow nest-site selection and nest success at nine study pastures in a southern mixed-grass prairie in Oklahoma. We used a neural-network technique to discriminate between nest and random locations, and bootstrapping with 95% confidence intervals to compare habitat features of successful and unsuccessful nests. We quantified habitat features at the nest and random points during the breeding seasons of 1999 and 2000 among three grazing treatments (control, moderate, and heavy). We located 40 nests during two years of the study, for which crude nest-success was 26.3%. Most nests were located in either moderately grazed pasture (55%) or heavily grazed pasture (40%). The neural model correctly identified nest and random points 91% of the time. Percentage of structural cover, distance to nearest structural element, bare-ground exposure, and percentage of litter cover were the most important nest-site selection criteria according to the model. Simulation analysis indicated points were classified as nest sites if they were <270 cm from structural elements, <87% bare-ground exposure, <74% litter cover, and >9% structural cover. Successful nests had less bare-ground exposure (x̄ = 6.2 ± 1.9% [SE]) and more litter cover (x̄ = 18.0 ± 4.6%) compared to unsuccessful nests (x̄ = 17.5 ± 3.8% and 10.1 ± 1.6%, respectively). These results suggest that habitat management for Lark Sparrows in mixed-grass prairie should focus on creating abundant structural cover with moderate levels of litter accumulation and bare ground.

scholarly journals Population Size And Nest Site Selection Of The Spanish Sparrow Passer Hispaniolensis In The Region Of The River Krka (Croatia)

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-10
Author(s):  
Jasmina Mužinić ◽  
Dragica Purger ◽  
Jenő J. Purger
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
National Park ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Platanus Occidentalis ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
New Localities ◽  
Good Access ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract The breeding range of the Spanish sparrow, Passer hispaniolensis, in Croatia is rapidly expanding. We studied the size of the nesting population and selection of nest site in an area partially included in the Krka National Park. Our results confirm that between 2004 and 2007 in the wider area of the Krka National Park the Spanish sparrow had occupied new localities, and that the number of 160 pairs recorded in 2003 had more than doubled (300–350) by 2007. In the study area, Spanish sparrows nest most commonly in the canopies of introduced planted trees (e.g. Morus alba, Platanus occidentalis, Populus nigra cv. italica). This strategy, with a good access to and diversity of potential nesting sites, enables a further expansion of the species.

VIEWING HABITAT THROUGH ANOTHER LENS: BIRD NEST-SITE SELECTION AND PRODUCTIVITY ACROSS A BEACH THERMAL LANDSCAPE

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Schaale ◽  
◽  
Joseph Baxley ◽  
Narcisa Pricope ◽  
Raymond M. Danner
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Bird Nest

scholarly journals Nest site selection and breeding ecology of the Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) in Algeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. e01524
Author(s):  
Karim Loucif ◽  
Mohamed Cherif Maazi ◽  
Moussa Houhamdi ◽  
Haroun Chenchouni
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Breeding Ecology

scholarly journals Territory and Nest-Site Selection of Cerulean Warblers in Eastern Ontario

The Auk ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 727-735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Jones ◽  
Raleigh J. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Dendroica Cerulea ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Eastern Ontario ◽  
Cerulean Warblers

Abstract We examined habitat selection by breeding Cerulean Warblers (Dendroica cerulea) at three spatial scales in eastern Ontario over three years (1997–1999). Territories were characterized by well-spaced large trees, with high canopies and dense foliage cover at heights between 12–18 m. Nesting habitat additionally was characterized by dense foliage cover above 18 m. The results of our nest-patch (0.04 ha circle around nest) and nest-site (0.01 ha circle) analyses indicate that male Cerulean Warblers may take active roles in nest-site selection when selecting territories. We conclude from our nest-patch and nest-site selection analyses that territories likely contain multiple nest patches and sites and that male Cerulean Warblers may defend areas with multiple nest patches or sites, which may attract females to settle with them. Whether or not Cerulean Warbler females use nest-site availability as a mate- or territory-choice cue remains unknown. We also tested the validity of a commonly made assumption that a random sampling of habitat by researchers is representative of the habitat actually available to birds and found that, in our study area, the assumption was invalid. Taken together, our results point toward the need to maintain sizeable stands of mature, deciduous forest to ensure the persistence of Cerulean Warblers in eastern Ontario. Population characteristics such as lower minimum area requirements and a resilience to habitat disturbance may make that an easier job in eastern Ontario than elsewhere in this species' breeding range.

scholarly journals Factors affecting nest-site selection of Sabine's Gulls in the eastern Canadian Arctic

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (9) ◽  
pp. 1240-1245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iain J Stenhouse ◽  
H Grant Gilchrist ◽  
William A Montevecchi
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Invertebrate Prey ◽  
Terrestrial Invertebrate ◽  
Individual Fitness ◽  
Sabine’S Gull ◽  
Selection Of

The selection of breeding habitat is of prime importance for individual fitness. Among birds, natural selection should favour the ability to recognize and select habitat suitable for nesting and rearing chicks. This study compares the characteristics of Sabine's Gull, Xema sabini (Sabine, 1819), nest sites with random points across a coastal tundra environment on Southampton Island, Nunavut, Canada. The availability of terrestrial invertebrate prey was also examined among habitats. Sabine's Gull nests were nonrandomly distributed in relation to vegetation, substrate, and proximity to water. Gulls nested within approximately 1 km of the coastline and selected sites with the greatest proportions of moss and standing water (i.e., they nested close to the edge of small freshwater ponds near shore). However, there were no detectable differences in characteristics between successful and unsuccessful nests within preferred habitat. The dynamics of terrestrial invertebrate prey communities varied between years, but the volume of invertebrates in Sabine's Gull nesting habitat was intermediate between the most productive habitats and the least productive habitats in both years. However, nest-site selection in Sabine's Gulls may also be influenced by the availability of aquatic invertebrates (not examined in this study) and their proximity to the marine coastline, where chicks are taken to be reared.

scholarly journals Do field margin characteristics influence songbird nest‐site selection in adjacent hedgerows?

Bird Study ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 392-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chas A. Holt ◽  
Philip W. Atkinson ◽  
Juliet A. Vickery ◽  
Robert J. Fuller
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Field Margin
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