Population Demography of Shortgrass Prairie Birds in Intact, Variegated, and Fragmented Landscapes

FORT Science

FORT Science Home

Science Features

Science Priorities

Current Research

Find FORT Science by

Research Staff

Susan Skagen

Research Task: 8327999.3.0
Task Manager: Susan Skagen

Conservation of declining species can be achieved through identifying and protecting breeding areas that function as population sources (where recruitment equals or exceeds adult mortality) and assessing the factors that contribute to population sinks. The overall goals of this study are to explore possible causes of population declines and to determine if selected breeding areas within the central shortgrass prairie are population sources or sinks. Highly fragmented habitats may function as population sinks if birds are exposed to higher levels of predation than in unfragmented areas. We will compare avian nesting success in intact landscapes to that of moderately fragmented (or variegated) and highly fragmented landscapes. Land and resource managers can apply this information in developing conservation plans for these declining species.

For more information contact Susan Skagen