Presentation Details
| Behavior at the Edge: Mechanistic Links Between Habitat, Predation, and Grassland Bird Decline Anahit Amiri, Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Michael Eichholz. Southern Illinois University, Center for Wildlife Sustainability Research, Carbondale, Illinois, USA |
Abstract
Grassland birds are among the most imperiled bird groups, with many species declining by ~50% over the past five decades due partly to habitat loss and fragmentation. We examined links among grassland bird nests, raccoons, and habitat structure to assess how habitat may shape predator-prey relationships. Using three years of field data (2019-2021) from Burning Star Wildlife Management Area in southern Illinois, USA, we measured nest density, raccoon abundance, vegetation, and habitat structure, built habitat indices, and used Structural Equation Models to compare direct and indirect nest-raccoon relationships. Results supported an indirect relationship driven by shared habitat features. Follow-up analyses showed the positive association between raccoon abundance and nest density was mediated by edge-to-interior ratio, not patch size, suggesting edge-linked processes rather than a small-patch encounter mechanism. These findings suggest edge structure may play an important role in predator-prey relationships in fragmented grasslands.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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