Project Completion:  September 2019. This project is now completed.
Principal Investigator(s): James Cronin, USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Implements Science Plan Theme: 2, 4, and 5

Project Description

Key Points

• Focused on shorebirds that are Species of Conservation Concern
• Made statistical models to project future conditions for the birds depending on what management actions are implemented
• Provided tools to resource managers in the face of many changes to the habitats they manage

Overview

Many shorebirds and nearshore waterbirds are of conservation concern across the Gulf of Mexico. These birds face stressors like human disturbance, predation, and habitat loss and degradation. Conservation of these birds is important for the functioning of healthy ecosystems. Their protection will also help maintain biodiversity in North America. Resource managers along the Gulf have important conservation questions for different species. For example, how much area should management actions target to meet a species’ needs? These questions need informed answers so that we can best protect these birds. 

This project aimed to make tools to help managers answer these questions. We developed statistical models that could help identify habitat conservation objectives and actions for bird species. These models take into account potential conservation scenarios in response to sea-level rise. The project focused specifically on the Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) and Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica). These two species are designated as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Species of Conservation Concern and Gulf Coast Joint Venture Priority Species. These two birds are also representative of a variety of other beach and barrier-island nesting birds. These birds’  nesting habitats are threatened by sea-level rise (e.g., Least Tern, Snowy and Wilson’s Plover). The statistical models linked each bird’s abundance to habitat characteristics that could be influenced by different management actions. This information could be used to identify conservation objectives under different conservation scenarios.

View a SE CASC Science Seminar Series presentation summarizing this project:
https://youtu.be/yiN1dxbchvs

More Information

• The South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center is jointly funding this project.
• This project will complete one objective of a large regional project, Establishing Explicit Biological Objectives to Guide Strategic Habitat Conservation for the Gulf Coast (National Landscape Conservation Cooperative Project), coordinated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service Gulf Restoration Program and involving USGS, LCC, USFWS, and NGO partners across the Gulf Coast.