Essay On Acadian Flycatcher

The study, “Scale-dependent habitat use of Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) in central Ohio” by Marja H. Bakermans and Amanda D. Rodewald, published in 2006, examines the selection of habitat across three spatial scales and the effects of understory arthropod biomass, vegetation structure and breeding productivity. As human populations grow and urban development increases desirable habitat for many habitat-specific species decreases resulting in population declines. It is important to understand habitat selection criteria the negative effects of urbanization on the flycatcher to establish management techniques and implement any necessary conservation efforts. Research occurred on 36 forest stands in three Ohio counties from 2001-2002. The riparian forest sites were mature stands of deciduous trees with bordering waterways varying in size. The microsite spatial scale was defined as an individual nest or territory, the local stand scale as a surrounding 3ha forest patch and landscape scale as a 1km-radius circle originating at the center of each study site. On the landscape scale, researchers measured percent urban and agricultural …show more content…
Urbanization played a prominent role in flycatcher habitat selection and use as numbers were negatively related to amount of urban development in the landscape. Selection criteria for the flycatchers also varied by spatial scale. Vegetation and prey abundance were more important to the flycatcher on a microsite scale, for nest site or territory selection, than on any larger scale. A multiscale approach is crucial managing for this species and should focus management efforts to locations best suited for the species at a landscape scale (riparian forest conservation) as well as providing ample food in specific areas for nesting site