University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

An experimental analysis of nest predation in eastern deciduous forests

Marini, Miguel Angelo

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Description

Title
An experimental analysis of nest predation in eastern deciduous forests
Author(s)
Marini, Miguel Angelo
Issue Date
1994
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Robinson, Scott K.
Department of Study
Biology
Discipline
Biology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Biology, Ecology
  • Biology, Zoology
Language
eng
Abstract
Nest predation exerts a major influence on the reproductive success of birds because it is the most important cause of nest loss. In this thesis, I studied how richness, density, and frequency of nests, and the fragmentation of forests through alterations of the landscape and forest structure affect nest predation levels. I estimated predation levels using over two thousand natural translocated nests and on artificial nests baited with quail eggs placed in large eastern deciduous forest fragments in southeastern Illinois during two breeding seasons (1992 and 1993). Overall, nest predation levels were random with respect to the several factors evaluated. The most prominent feature of the data was the high temporal and spatial variability (i.e., high heterogeneity) in nest predation levels, that may have obscured other biologically important patterns. The only consistently significant differences were between nests at different heights and times during the breeding season. Other factors (i.e. richness, density, and frequency of nests, distance to the forest-farm edge, richness and abundance of predators, distance to a geographical marker, and forest age since recovery from selective logging) had no significant effects on nest predation levels. The high heterogeneity of predation levels and our lack of knowledge of nest predators' behavior makes testing of hypotheses difficult.
Type of Resource
text
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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/22125
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 1994 Marini, Miguel Angelo

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