Incorporating species distributions into conservation planning has traditionally involved long-term representations of habitat use where temporal variation is averaged to reveal habitats that are most suitable across time. Advances in remote sensing and analytical tools have allowed for the integration of dynamic processes into species distribution modeling. Our objective was to develop a spatiotemporal model of breeding habitat use for a federally threatened shorebird (piping plover, Charadrius melodus). Piping plovers are an ideal candidate species for dynamic habitat models because they depend on habitat created and maintained by variable hydrological processes and disturbance. We integrated a 20-year (2000–2019) nesting dataset with volunteer-collected sightings (eBird) using point process modeling. Our analysis incorporated spatiotemporal autocorrelation, differential observation processes within data streams, and dynamic environmental covariates. We evaluated the transferability of this model in space and time and the contribution of the eBird dataset. eBird data provided more complete spatial coverage in our study system than nest monitoring data. Patterns of observed breeding density depended on both dynamic (e.g., surface water levels) and long-term (e.g., proximity to permanent wetland basins) environmental processes. Our study provides a framework for quantifying dynamic spatiotemporal patterns of breeding density. This assessment can be iteratively updated with additional data to improve conservation and management efforts, because reducing temporal variability to average patterns of use may cause a loss in precision for such actions.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Title | Data integration reveals dynamic and systematic patterns of breeding habitat use by a threatened shorebird |
| DOI | 10.1038/s41598-023-32886-w |
| Authors | Kristen S. Ellis, Michael J. Anteau, Garrett John Macdonald, Rose J. Swift, Megan Ring, Dustin L. Toy, Mark H. Sherfy, Max Post van der Burg |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Scientific Reports |
| Index ID | 70243034 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center |
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Kristen Ellis, PhD
Research Ecologist
Michael Anteau, PhD
Chief - Wildlife and Ecosystems Branch
Mark Sherfy
Deputy Center Director
Max Post van der Burg, PhD
Chief - Spatial and Ecological Analytics Branch
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Research EcologistEmailPhoneMichael Anteau, PhD
Chief - Wildlife and Ecosystems BranchEmailPhoneMark Sherfy
Deputy Center DirectorEmailPhoneMax Post van der Burg, PhD
Chief - Spatial and Ecological Analytics BranchPhone