Document Type
Honors Thesis
Publication Date
Spring 5-2018
Abstract
The Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammodramus caudacutus) is experiencing steep population declines, with extinction likely within the next few decades. Sea-level rise has been identified as a major threat to the species, but little has been done to examine the effects of other aspects of climate change on Saltmarsh Sparrow populations. In this study, I examine whether drought affects reproductive success in the Saltmarsh Sparrow. I use nest- and chick-monitoring data collected over five years across the northern half of the species range to test whether drought conditions affect four metrics of reproductive success in these birds: hatch rate, clutch size, chick growth rate, and fledge. Drought had little to no effect on any metric of reproductive success, though I did detect some minor nonlinear patterns. The results from these analyses suggest that sea-level rise is indeed the largest climate change-related threat faced by this species.
Recommended Citation
Watson, Valerie K., "Does Drought Affect Reproduction in the Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammodramus Caudacutus)?" (2018). Honors College. 362.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/362
