Open AccessFactors that influence vital rates of Seaside and Saltmarsh sparrows in coastal New Jersey, USA
Author(s) -
Roberts Samuel G.,
Longenecker Rebecca A.,
Etterson Matthew A.,
Ruskin Katharine J.,
Elphick Chris S.,
Olsen Brian J.,
Shriver W. Gregory
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of field ornithology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.661
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1557-9263
pISSN - 0273-8570
DOI - 10.1111/jofo.12199
Subject(s) - salt marsh , predation , marsh , nest (protein structural motif) , habitat , population , ecology , biology , geography , fishery , wetland , demography , biochemistry , sociology
As saltmarsh habitat continues to disappear, understanding the factors that influence the population dynamics of saltmarsh breeding birds is an important step in the conservation of these declining species. Using 5 yrs (2011–2015) of demographic data, we evaluated and compared apparent adult survival and nest survival of Seaside ( Ammodramus maritimus ) and Saltmarsh ( A. caudacutus ) sparrows at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey, USA . We determined the effect of site management history (unditched vs. ditched marshes) on adult and nest survival to aid in prioritizing future management or restoration actions. Apparent adult survival (61.6%, 95% CI : 52.5–70.0%) of Seaside Sparrows averaged > 1.5 times greater than that of Saltmarsh Sparrows (39.9%, 95% CI : 34.0–46.2%). Nest survival and predation and flooding rates did not differ between species, and predation was the primary cause of nest failure for both species. Apparent adult survival and nest survival did not differ between unditched and ditched marshes for either species, indicating that marsh ditching history may not affect the quality of breeding habitat for these species. Because predation was the primary cause of nest failure for both species in New Jersey, we suggest that future studies should focus on identifying predator communities in salt marshes and the potential for implementing predator‐control programs to limit population declines.