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Evaluating relative impacts of habitat loss and invasive species on an endemic songbird using spatially explicit population models
Citation:
AWKERMAN, J. A., N. H. SCHUMAKER, R. S. LUNETTA, AND W. A. GOULD. Evaluating relative impacts of habitat loss and invasive species on an endemic songbird using spatially explicit population models . Presented at Ecological Society of America 97th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR, August 05 - 10, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
Abstract for presentation at ESA conference
Description:
Island ecosystems maintain greater endemic biodiversity such that changes in land cover can have dramatic impacts on wildlife populations that depend on unique and limited habitat. Sustainable land use decisions that minimize habitat loss require multi-faceted evaluation of costs and benefits. Within Puerto Rico, agricultural landscapes and ecosystems that provide habitat for endemic fauna contribute to ecotourism revenue in addition to supporting wildlife conservation. Forest composition has changed as areas are developed for urban and residential use, cleared for agricultural purposes, or reforested, altering habitat availability for songbirds. Within areas protected from development or agricultural uses, non-native predators and brood parasites can also reduce songbird survival and reproductive success. As a case study for further evaluation of management decisions, we simulate possible effects of habitat connectivity and interspecific interactions on population viability of the Puerto Rican vireo (Vireo latimeri). Initial species distributions were determined by the Puerto Rico GAP analysis project. Using the spatially-explicit, individual-based population modeling tool HexSim, we included previously estimated vital rates to evaluate relative population-level impacts of brood parasitism, predation, and habitat loss on population growth and species distribution.