A spatially explicit framework to assess the risk of aquatic contaminants to insectivorous birds
Aquatic contamination can reduce both the quantity and quality of nutritionally important aquatic insect prey and has been implicated in global declines of insectivorous birds. Yet hotspots of risk and the relative importance of quantity (that is, prey limitation) versus quality (that is, prey toxicity) remain poorly resolved across the landscape.
Aquatic contamination can reduce both the quantity and quality of nutritionally important aquatic insect prey and has been implicated in global declines of insectivorous birds. Yet hotspots of risk and the relative importance of quantity (that is, prey limitation) versus quality (that is, prey toxicity) remain poorly resolved across the landscape. We are bringing together a team of international experts in contaminant ecology, avian biology, freshwater science, spatial modelling and natural resource damage assessment to predict how contaminant and nutrient fluxes by adult aquatic insects contribute to a landscape of risk for aerial insectivorous birds. Specifically, we will combine 1) detailed data on the spatial distribution of insectivorous birds from the United States and Europe, 2) information about their diets, and 3) recently compiled data on global aquatic insect emergence and contaminant flux to map areas of elevated risk for aerial insectivorous birds across the U.S. and Europe. This work will support species and habitat management by equipping decision-makers with the tools to anticipate where and to what extent aquatic-borne contaminants and their (re)distribution across the landscape pose risks to environmental health at local, regional, and continental scales.
Principal Investigators:
Johanna M. Kraus (USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center)
Christy Morrissey (University of Saskatchewan)
Brianna Williams (USGS New Jersey Water Science Center)
Jeff Wesner (University of South Dakota)
Aquatic contamination can reduce both the quantity and quality of nutritionally important aquatic insect prey and has been implicated in global declines of insectivorous birds. Yet hotspots of risk and the relative importance of quantity (that is, prey limitation) versus quality (that is, prey toxicity) remain poorly resolved across the landscape.
Aquatic contamination can reduce both the quantity and quality of nutritionally important aquatic insect prey and has been implicated in global declines of insectivorous birds. Yet hotspots of risk and the relative importance of quantity (that is, prey limitation) versus quality (that is, prey toxicity) remain poorly resolved across the landscape. We are bringing together a team of international experts in contaminant ecology, avian biology, freshwater science, spatial modelling and natural resource damage assessment to predict how contaminant and nutrient fluxes by adult aquatic insects contribute to a landscape of risk for aerial insectivorous birds. Specifically, we will combine 1) detailed data on the spatial distribution of insectivorous birds from the United States and Europe, 2) information about their diets, and 3) recently compiled data on global aquatic insect emergence and contaminant flux to map areas of elevated risk for aerial insectivorous birds across the U.S. and Europe. This work will support species and habitat management by equipping decision-makers with the tools to anticipate where and to what extent aquatic-borne contaminants and their (re)distribution across the landscape pose risks to environmental health at local, regional, and continental scales.
Principal Investigators:
Johanna M. Kraus (USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center)
Christy Morrissey (University of Saskatchewan)
Brianna Williams (USGS New Jersey Water Science Center)
Jeff Wesner (University of South Dakota)