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Biogeography: Stable Isotope Applications Active

By Fort Collins Science Center October 13, 2016

The use of stable isotopes has led to important findings about the location of wintering, breeding grounds, and the concept of migratory connectivity.

The distribution of species across the landscape is of great interest to conservation biology. Habitat quality and quantity are thought to be important drivers of occurrence and distribution, and numerous studies have demonstrated fitness-related consequences. However, for species with cryptic or migratory life histories, we often lack sufficient detail about habitat usage and in many cases, general location and activity information are unavailable.

Extrinsic markers, such as tags and bands, have proven to be rather ineffective due to low returns. Intrinsic markers, such as stable isotopes, on the other hand have great potential because inference is not constrained by recapture. Rather, important insights regarding movement and habitat use can be derived from both metabolically active and inactive tissues of many wildlife species. This approach is cost-effective and has led to important findings regarding the location of wintering and breeding grounds, stop over sites, and the concept of migratory connectivity.

Below are publications associated with this project.

Does a lack of design and repeatability compromise scientific criticism? A Response to Smith et al. (2009)

In a recent paper published in The Auk, Smith et al. (2009) raised serious concerns over an apparent lack of reproducibility in their study of stable hydrogen isotope values (δDf ) in raptor feathers. The authors based their concerns on results obtained from different laboratories to which they submitted original and blind “repeats” over a multiyear period. A regression of the original sample δD v
Authors
Michael B. Wunder, Keith A. Hobson, Jeff Kelly, Peter P. Marra, Leonard I Wassenaar, Craig A. Stricker, Richard R. Doucett
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center
  • Overview

    The distribution of species across the landscape is of great interest to conservation biology. Habitat quality and quantity are thought to be important drivers of occurrence and distribution, and numerous studies have demonstrated fitness-related consequences. However, for species with cryptic or migratory life histories, we often lack sufficient detail about habitat usage and in many cases, general location and activity information are unavailable.

    Extrinsic markers, such as tags and bands, have proven to be rather ineffective due to low returns. Intrinsic markers, such as stable isotopes, on the other hand have great potential because inference is not constrained by recapture. Rather, important insights regarding movement and habitat use can be derived from both metabolically active and inactive tissues of many wildlife species. This approach is cost-effective and has led to important findings regarding the location of wintering and breeding grounds, stop over sites, and the concept of migratory connectivity.

  • Publications

    Below are publications associated with this project.

    Does a lack of design and repeatability compromise scientific criticism? A Response to Smith et al. (2009)

    In a recent paper published in The Auk, Smith et al. (2009) raised serious concerns over an apparent lack of reproducibility in their study of stable hydrogen isotope values (δDf ) in raptor feathers. The authors based their concerns on results obtained from different laboratories to which they submitted original and blind “repeats” over a multiyear period. A regression of the original sample δD v
    Authors
    Michael B. Wunder, Keith A. Hobson, Jeff Kelly, Peter P. Marra, Leonard I Wassenaar, Craig A. Stricker, Richard R. Doucett
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center