GardenClub_2015.pdf (172.78 kB)
THE USE OF STABLE ISOTOPES, eBIRD AND SPECIES DISTRIBUTION MODELS TO ASSESS MIGRATORY CONNECTIVITY OF FALL MIGRATING RAILS
Understanding the timing and connectivity of seasonal movements of individuals between
habitats is essential for the effective conservation and management of migratory species.
Documenting migratory connectivity is especially difficult for secretive species like rails.
Rails are among the least studied birds in North America. I propose using stable isotopes,
and species distribution models based on eBird data to predict the migratory connectivity
of rails. Sora and Virginia are game species in North America who we hunt despite our lack
of information about their population levels, trends and connectivity. Both species, along
with the non-game Yellow Rail are thought to be declining, but the cause is unknown. The
National Marshbird Monitoring Program will soon bring us actual population estimates and
monitoring, but addressing any negative population trends to inform conservation and
management without understanding rail connectivity will make science based management
difficult. This project would be an informative first step at understanding the migratory
connectivity of these species in the central United States. I will collect feathers from rails
during migration, along with the breeding and wintering grounds to create an accurate map
of the connectivity of migratory rails in Missouri. I will use their δD value along with
species distribution models to document their migratory connectivity and compare it to the
migratory paths of other wetland species