Habitat Selection of Spotted Sandpipers (Actitis macularius) and Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) on the Elwha River
Research Mentor(s)
McLaughlin, John
Description
We studied the responses of spotted sandpipers (Actitis macularius) and killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) to restoration associated with dam removals on the Elwha River, Washington. As many dams approach the end of their useful lives, the need to understand responses and implications of shorebirds and other wildlife returning post dam removal sites is becoming increasingly important. Sandpipers are among the first wildlife to return to restoration sites exposed when reservoirs are drained, while killdeer are a species in the Elwha known to assist in the dispersal of disseminules and gastropods. Specifically, we investigated spotted sandpiper and killdeer distributions and habitat selection relative to the availability of five kinds of substrates. We tested the hypothesis that shorebird habitat selection is determined by substrate texture, with greater use of cobbles and gravel than silt, sand, and vegetated areas. We recorded spotted sandpipers and killdeer locations and associated substrates in open areas along the larger of the former Elwha reservoirs and a matched valley upriver from direct dam effects. We determined substrate extent and distributions using a systematic sampling grid anchored by a random starting point. We used logistic regression models to calculate substrate resource selection functions. Our results reveal a reciprocal relationship of spotted sandpiper and killdeer in Elwha restoration. Shorebirds have benefited from extensive open habitats created by dam removal, and they may enhance restoration by distributing organic matter and nutrients to substrates lacking those materials.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
15-5-2019 9:00 AM
End Date
15-5-2019 5:00 PM
Location
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Department
Environmental Science
Genre/Form
student projects, posters
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Sandpipers--Habitat--Washington (State)--Elwha River; Killdeer--Habitat--Washington (State)--Elwha River; Esuarine restoration--Washington (State)--Elwha River; Dam retirement-- Environmental aspects--Washington (State)--Elwha River
Geographic Coverage
Elwha River (Wash.)
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Habitat Selection of Spotted Sandpipers (Actitis macularius) and Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) on the Elwha River
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
We studied the responses of spotted sandpipers (Actitis macularius) and killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) to restoration associated with dam removals on the Elwha River, Washington. As many dams approach the end of their useful lives, the need to understand responses and implications of shorebirds and other wildlife returning post dam removal sites is becoming increasingly important. Sandpipers are among the first wildlife to return to restoration sites exposed when reservoirs are drained, while killdeer are a species in the Elwha known to assist in the dispersal of disseminules and gastropods. Specifically, we investigated spotted sandpiper and killdeer distributions and habitat selection relative to the availability of five kinds of substrates. We tested the hypothesis that shorebird habitat selection is determined by substrate texture, with greater use of cobbles and gravel than silt, sand, and vegetated areas. We recorded spotted sandpipers and killdeer locations and associated substrates in open areas along the larger of the former Elwha reservoirs and a matched valley upriver from direct dam effects. We determined substrate extent and distributions using a systematic sampling grid anchored by a random starting point. We used logistic regression models to calculate substrate resource selection functions. Our results reveal a reciprocal relationship of spotted sandpiper and killdeer in Elwha restoration. Shorebirds have benefited from extensive open habitats created by dam removal, and they may enhance restoration by distributing organic matter and nutrients to substrates lacking those materials.