... often species of birds adapted to living on the interface (edge) between the two habitat type... more ... often species of birds adapted to living on the interface (edge) between the two habitat types (Martin 198la, Blake 1983 ... These conditions may include competing bird species, higher levels of nest predation or parasitism, changed microclimatic factors, among others (Ambuel and ...
Predicting the effects of global climate change on species interactions has remained difficult be... more Predicting the effects of global climate change on species interactions has remained difficult because there is a spatiotemporal mismatch between regional climate models and microclimates experienced by organisms. We evaluated resource selection in a predominant ectothermic predator using a modeling approach that permitted us to assess the importance of habitat structure and local real-time air temperatures within the same modeling framework. We radio-tracked 53 western ratsnakes () from 2010 to 2013 in central Missouri, USA, at study sites where this species has previously been linked to prey population demographics. We used Bayesian discrete choice models within an information theoretic framework to evaluate the seasonal effects of fine-scale vegetation structure and thermal conditions on ratsnake resource selection. Ratsnake resource selection was influenced most by canopy cover, canopy cover heterogeneity, understory cover, and air temperature heterogeneity. Ratsnakes generally ...
Forecasting the effects of climate change on threatened ecosystems and species will require an un... more Forecasting the effects of climate change on threatened ecosystems and species will require an understanding of how weather influences processes that drive population dynamics. We have evaluated weather effects on activity patterns of western ratsnakes, a widespread predator of birds and small mammals in eastern North America. From 2010-2013 we radio-tracked 53 ratsnakes in the fragmented region of central Missouri. We relocated each snake 4× per week and used movement frequency as an index of activity. We used generalized linear mixed models within an information-theoretic approach to evaluate temporal and weather variables as potential predictors of snake activity. While snakes were generally sedentary, activity showed a linear response to relative humidity and a quadratic response to air temperature, peaking near 30 °C. Seasonal activity patterns differed between sexes and among years, but snakes were generally least active in mid-summer, regardless of weather. Our findings provi...
We examine the influence of both local habitat and landscape variables on avian species abundance... more We examine the influence of both local habitat and landscape variables on avian species abundance at forested study sites situated within fragmented and contiguous landscapes. The study was conducted over a six year period (1991–1996) at 10 study sites equally divided between the heavily forested Missouri Ozarks and forest fragments in central Missouri. We found greater species richness and diversity
... Response to Tomialojc and Verner. Auk 107:451–453. CSA. Howell, CA, SC Latta, TM Donovan,PA P... more ... Response to Tomialojc and Verner. Auk 107:451–453. CSA. Howell, CA, SC Latta, TM Donovan,PA Porneluzi, GR Parks, and J. Faaborg. 2000. ... 2002. Wood Thrush movements and habitat use: effects of forest management for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Auk 119:109–124. ...
Abstract We report the first nest of a blue-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) in western Neb... more Abstract We report the first nest of a blue-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) in western Nebraska. The nest was in a red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). The nesting birds reflect an expansion of the breeding range of western populations.
... often species of birds adapted to living on the interface (edge) between the two habitat type... more ... often species of birds adapted to living on the interface (edge) between the two habitat types (Martin 198la, Blake 1983 ... These conditions may include competing bird species, higher levels of nest predation or parasitism, changed microclimatic factors, among others (Ambuel and ...
Predicting the effects of global climate change on species interactions has remained difficult be... more Predicting the effects of global climate change on species interactions has remained difficult because there is a spatiotemporal mismatch between regional climate models and microclimates experienced by organisms. We evaluated resource selection in a predominant ectothermic predator using a modeling approach that permitted us to assess the importance of habitat structure and local real-time air temperatures within the same modeling framework. We radio-tracked 53 western ratsnakes () from 2010 to 2013 in central Missouri, USA, at study sites where this species has previously been linked to prey population demographics. We used Bayesian discrete choice models within an information theoretic framework to evaluate the seasonal effects of fine-scale vegetation structure and thermal conditions on ratsnake resource selection. Ratsnake resource selection was influenced most by canopy cover, canopy cover heterogeneity, understory cover, and air temperature heterogeneity. Ratsnakes generally ...
Forecasting the effects of climate change on threatened ecosystems and species will require an un... more Forecasting the effects of climate change on threatened ecosystems and species will require an understanding of how weather influences processes that drive population dynamics. We have evaluated weather effects on activity patterns of western ratsnakes, a widespread predator of birds and small mammals in eastern North America. From 2010-2013 we radio-tracked 53 ratsnakes in the fragmented region of central Missouri. We relocated each snake 4× per week and used movement frequency as an index of activity. We used generalized linear mixed models within an information-theoretic approach to evaluate temporal and weather variables as potential predictors of snake activity. While snakes were generally sedentary, activity showed a linear response to relative humidity and a quadratic response to air temperature, peaking near 30 °C. Seasonal activity patterns differed between sexes and among years, but snakes were generally least active in mid-summer, regardless of weather. Our findings provi...
We examine the influence of both local habitat and landscape variables on avian species abundance... more We examine the influence of both local habitat and landscape variables on avian species abundance at forested study sites situated within fragmented and contiguous landscapes. The study was conducted over a six year period (1991–1996) at 10 study sites equally divided between the heavily forested Missouri Ozarks and forest fragments in central Missouri. We found greater species richness and diversity
... Response to Tomialojc and Verner. Auk 107:451–453. CSA. Howell, CA, SC Latta, TM Donovan,PA P... more ... Response to Tomialojc and Verner. Auk 107:451–453. CSA. Howell, CA, SC Latta, TM Donovan,PA Porneluzi, GR Parks, and J. Faaborg. 2000. ... 2002. Wood Thrush movements and habitat use: effects of forest management for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Auk 119:109–124. ...
Abstract We report the first nest of a blue-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) in western Neb... more Abstract We report the first nest of a blue-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) in western Nebraska. The nest was in a red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). The nesting birds reflect an expansion of the breeding range of western populations.
Uploads