Habitat selection and potential fitness consequences of two early-successional species with differing life-history strategies.

ABSTRACT: Habitat selection and its relationship to fitness is a fundamental concept in ecology, but the mechanisms driving this connection are complex and difficult to detect. Despite the difficulties in understanding such intricate relationships, it is imperative that we study habitat selection and its relationship with fitness. We compared habitat selection of least terns (Sternula antillarum) and piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) on the Missouri River (2012-2014) to examine the consequences of those choices on nest and chick survival. We hypothesized that plovers and terns would select habitat that minimized the chance of flooding and predation of eggs, chicks, and adults, but that plovers would also select habitat that would provide foraging habitat for their chicks. We develope

SUBMITTER: Catlin D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6953654 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature