Bahía de San Quintín

by Richard Stillman | Oct 2, 2019

Bahía de San Quintín

Bird species included in model

Black brant (Branta bernicula nigricans)

Environmental issues simulated

Variation in food abundance, bird population size and sea level.

Recommendations from modelling

Ability of birds to gain enough energy to migrate most strongly influenced by food biomass.

More information

Stillman, R. A., Rivers, E. M., Gilkerson, W., Wood, K. A., Clausen, P., Deane, C. & Ward, D. H. (2024) Predicting the response of a long-distance migrant to changing environmental conditions in winter. Ecology and Evolution, 14, 10.1002/ece3.11619.

Funding

United States Geological Survey

Humboldt Bay

by Richard Stillman | Sep 15, 2019

Humboldt Bay

Bird species included in model

Black brant (Branta bernicula nigricans)

Environmental issues simulated

Natural variation, sea-level rise / sediment change and recreation changing habitat area, habitat availability time and food quality

Recommendations from modelling

Increased disturbance from human activities or reduced food supply reduce emigration of black brant.

More information

Stillman, R.A., Wood, K. A., Gilkerson, W., Elkinton, E., Black, J. M., Ward, D. H. and Petrie, M. (2015) Predicting effects of environmental change on a migratory herbivore. Ecosphere, 6(7), 114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/ES14-00455.1.

Funding

Ducks Unlimited, Inc., funded this study (Project US-RS-14-2)

Izembek Lagoon

by Richard Stillman | Sep 14, 2019

Izembek Lagoon

Bird species included in model

Black brant (Branta bernicula nigricans), Taverner’s cackling goose (Branta hutchinsii taverneri)

Environmental issues simulated

Human recreation, hunting, predator numbers, ice and extreme weather changing habitat area, habitat availability time, food availability and energy needs and requirements

Recommendations from modelling

Habitat loss, disturbance colder weather have greater impact on black brant geese when eelgrass food biomass is lower.

More information

Paper in review

Funding

United States Geological Survey