| The Athabasca Oil Sands region of northeastern Alberta is being rapidly developed. Wetland and terrestrial guild abundances, species richness, and nest success were evaluated to understand the effects of oil sands by-product waste and the replacement of natural habitats with post-mining habitats across 11 sites in 2006 and 2007. Although most relationships between dependent and independent variables were weak, avian guilds were positively associated with the amount of suitable nesting habitat. The presence of forest cover was positively associated with tree-nesters and species richness.;Species richness and avian community composition on the Suncor lease site from 1976 to 1983 was also compared with 2006 and 2007 data. Avian species richness was significantly lower during 2007 and 2007 data. Avian species richness was significantly lower during 2006 and 2007. Avian community composition was also different between these two time periods. Cavity, tree-, water- and other substrate-nesters experienced the highest decline in richness. |
