Dissertation Research: Quantifying Stopover Habitat use by Forest Dwelling Migratory Landbirds using Doppler Radar

University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL

Investigators

Abstract

0073114 Larkin Habitat critical to birds during migration has received little conservation and research attention. This research project investigates the spatial scales at which the distribution of stopover habitat influences patterns of migrating bird density. A national network of Doppler surveillance radar will be used to estimate bird density and examine habitat-migrant associations within continental, regional, and landscape scales. Using hierarchical analysis, patterns of variation in migrant density observed at one scale will allow verifiable predictions about patterns at adjacent scales. Field radar studies will be used to relate bird density aloft and the amount of radar echo returned by those birds. This hierarchical approach can provide an appropriately scaled basis for identifying conservation areas for migratory birds.