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Forest fragmentation affects step choices, but not homing paths of fragmentation-sensitive birds in multiple behavioral states

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Abstract

Context

Theory predicts that movement limitation due to landscape fragmentation can reduce population viability. Understanding how landscape heterogeneity influences movement is thus critical for testing theory and developing conservation strategies. Consequently, studies are needed that link movement data with landscape features influencing dispersal.

Objectives

We used experimental translocations to test whether forest fragmentation constrains movements of two fragmentation-sensitive bird species. We also tested for evidence of multiple behavioral movement phases (i.e., exploring, homing) and evaluated whether fragmentation effects varied between them.

Methods

Over two breeding seasons we translocated territorial Wood Thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina; n = 36) and Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla; n = 19) 1–1.2 km across landscapes spanning a fragmentation gradient and recorded spatial (movement path) and temporal (return time) homing data using VHF transmitters and receivers.

Results

Ninety-one percent of individuals returned home, taking up to 72.2 h. Movements of 98% of returning birds indicated distinct exploring (i.e., short, undirected movements and course reversals) and homing (i.e., large, fast steps towards home) movement phases. Both species chose steps minimizing gap exposure in both phases. However, landscape fragmentation had no negative effect on homing times or path straightness.

Conclusions

Our results suggest movement limitation does not drive fragmentation sensitivity in these species. Discrepancy between step- and path-level analyses either indicate that fine-scale movement data do not reflect landscape connectivity, or that artificially motivated animals respond unnaturally to behavioral barriers. Given evidence for dichotomous movement behavior, future studies linking these behaviors to life stages will elucidate when and how landscape features influence movement.

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Data availability

All data collected and analyzed during this study are included in Online Resources 3–6.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center Environmental Quality and Installations 6270/896/04 (PE/Project/Task). We thank the Department of Defense Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (grant RC-2121) for helping to facilitate this work. We also thank M. Bélisle and two anonymous reviewers for their constructive feedback which greatly improved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Migratory Bird Center, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC, 20013, USA

    Jonathon J. Valente & T. Brandt Ryder

  2. Forest Biodiversity Research Network, Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Jonathon J. Valente & Matthew G. Betts

  3. Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, USA

    Richard A. Fischer

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  1. Jonathon J. Valente
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Correspondence to Jonathon J. Valente.

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Valente, J.J., Fischer, R.A., Ryder, T.B. et al. Forest fragmentation affects step choices, but not homing paths of fragmentation-sensitive birds in multiple behavioral states. Landscape Ecol 34, 373–388 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-019-00777-z

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