Landscape Associations of Birds During Migratory Stopover

Abstract

Finally, in the context of hierarchy theory, I examined the influence of landscape ecological and behavioral processes on bird density during migratory stopover. Migrant abundance did not vary across landscapes that differed considerably in the amount of habitat available for stopover. As a result, smaller, more isolated patches held higher densities of birds. Spatial models of migrant habitat selection based on migrant proximity to a patch explained nearly as much variance in the number of migrants occupying patches (R2 = 0.88) as selection models based on migrant interception of patches during flight (R2 = 0.90). Because migrant densities in specific patches were the consequence of biological processes operating at larger spatial scales, sound conservation strategies for migrating landbirds should consider the landscape context of stopover habitats that are potential targets for preservation.