Title

Linking habitat suitability to demographic success in Florida scrub-jays

Keywords

Demography; Habitat suitability; Landscape patterns; Remote sensing; Sink; Source

Abstract

We quantified relationships among Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) demography, density, and habitat suitability (HSI). A HSI map was derived using a HSI model, vegetation, and fire patterns that were mapped from aerial imagery. Family size, reproductive success, and survival data were collected at nests and territories between 1988 and 1993 using colorbanded jays. The ability to predict demographic performance (potential-breeder production minus breeder mortality) using the HSI model was tested at patch (0.1 and 1.0 ha) and territory (5.5 ha) scales. Florida scrub-jays preferred to nest in patches having the highest HSI and had the highest fledgling production in patches with the highest HSI. Yearling production, breeder survival, jay density, and demographic performance were all correlated with HSI. Minor improvements in the ability to predict demographic performance occurred as sampling scale increased from the smallest patch (0.1 ha) to the territory scale (5.5 ha). Population sources (potential-breeder production exceeded breeder mortality) comprised 28% of the habitat within the study site and had inadequate demographic performance to sustain population sinks (breeder mortality exceeded potential-breeder production), which comprised 62% of the habitat. Jay densities were not indicators of demographic performance.

Publication Date

3-1-1998

Publication Title

Wildlife Society Bulletin

Volume

26

Issue

1

Number of Pages

118-128

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

Socpus ID

0031827681 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/0031827681

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