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Copyright © 2008 Ecostudies Institute-
| A nonprofit organization committed to ecological research and conservation |
| ECOSTUDIES INSTITUTE |
| ECOSTUDIES INSTITUTE |
| Contact Information: Ecostudies Institute P.O. Box 703 Mount Vernon, WA 98273 305-213-8829 ecostudies@ecoinst.org |
Current Research
Ecostudies Institute, in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the National Park Service, is conducting research on mangrove
landbirds throughout southern Florida. We have three goals in this research: 1) inventory and collect
baseline population data for mangrove landbirds, 2) determine habitat associations of mangrove
landbirds, and 3) develop a long-term monitoring protocol for mangrove landbirds. The results of our
proposed research will provide baseline population size information for at least six species of mangrove
landbirds that have been identified by the USFWS and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission as species of concern, and will thus be valuable in establishing a baseline for future trend
analyses and in identifying species that may need immediate management attention. This study will also
improve understanding of the ecological linkages between landbirds, habitat, and physical processes,
including human effects on habitat. This is a critical first step in providing managers with the
information they need to maintain healthy populations of mangrove landbirds. Finally, the proposed
project will generate a methodological framework that can be used to develop long-term monitoring
programs.
Ecostudies Institute, in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the National Park Service, is conducting research on mangrove
landbirds throughout southern Florida. We have three goals in this research: 1) inventory and collect
baseline population data for mangrove landbirds, 2) determine habitat associations of mangrove
landbirds, and 3) develop a long-term monitoring protocol for mangrove landbirds. The results of our
proposed research will provide baseline population size information for at least six species of mangrove
landbirds that have been identified by the USFWS and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission as species of concern, and will thus be valuable in establishing a baseline for future trend
analyses and in identifying species that may need immediate management attention. This study will also
improve understanding of the ecological linkages between landbirds, habitat, and physical processes,
including human effects on habitat. This is a critical first step in providing managers with the
information they need to maintain healthy populations of mangrove landbirds. Finally, the proposed
project will generate a methodological framework that can be used to develop long-term monitoring
programs.
Overview
Mangrove forests provide habitat for numerous
species. In addition to their contribution to
biological diversity, mangrove forests provide many
valuable ecosystem services, such as filtration of
pollutants and stabilization of sediments. In North
America, mangrove forests are found almost
exclusively in southern Florida and they are
considered one of the most threatened habitats.
Yet, in spite of their role as a source of biological
diversity, their economic importance, and the
threats that they face, very little is known about
the ecology of mangrove ecosystems.
Mangrove forests provide habitat for numerous
species. In addition to their contribution to
biological diversity, mangrove forests provide many
valuable ecosystem services, such as filtration of
pollutants and stabilization of sediments. In North
America, mangrove forests are found almost
exclusively in southern Florida and they are
considered one of the most threatened habitats.
Yet, in spite of their role as a source of biological
diversity, their economic importance, and the
threats that they face, very little is known about
the ecology of mangrove ecosystems.
There is a dramatic gap in our knowledge of the population status, distribution, and habitat
requirements of the vertebrates that inhabit mangrove forests. The lack of information on mangrove
landbirds in particular is especially problematic because nearly all are believed to exist at low abundance
and several are thought to be at risk of becoming endangered (White-crowned Pigeon and Florida Prairie
Warbler) but none are monitored by any of the standardized national sampling schemes such as the
Breeding Bird Survey. Furthermore, virtually nothing is known of the habitat requirements for many of
the species associated with mangrove habitats.
requirements of the vertebrates that inhabit mangrove forests. The lack of information on mangrove
landbirds in particular is especially problematic because nearly all are believed to exist at low abundance
and several are thought to be at risk of becoming endangered (White-crowned Pigeon and Florida Prairie
Warbler) but none are monitored by any of the standardized national sampling schemes such as the
Breeding Bird Survey. Furthermore, virtually nothing is known of the habitat requirements for many of
the species associated with mangrove habitats.
For more information about the status of our work with mangrove
landbirds, please contact Gary Slater or John Lloyd.
landbirds, please contact Gary Slater or John Lloyd.
