Considering the Potential Importance of Western Montane Habitats During Autumn Landbird Migration

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

The topographic and climatic gradients of western ecosystems make for a unique laboratory in which to investigate stopover ecology. In particular, the late summer heat and aridity across much of the Intermountain West and Great Basin may have important ramifications shaping migration and molt strategies of western migrants. To date, most investigations of migration in the West have focused on riparian systems, which are clearly critical to migrants and deserving of conservation measures. However, the extent to which autumn migrants utilize non-riparian habitats has received little attention, and if we limit our focus to lowland riparian areas we may miss other important migration stopover habitats. Data from a number of western states suggest that montane habitats might serve an important role for many landbird migrants during the late summer molt period and autumn migration, a time period when many lowland areas of the west, including some riparian systems, are extremely arid (Austin, 1970; Greenberg and others, 1974; Blake, 1984; Hutto, 1985).
Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationMigration Stopover Ecology of Western Avian Populations: A Southwestern Migration Workshop
StatePublished - 2004

EGS Disciplines

  • Ornithology
  • Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
  • Environmental Studies

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