A spatial analysis of factors affecting the nesting ecology of shorebirds in the Canadian prairie-parklands

Temperate grasslands have undergone some of the highest rates of habitat conversion of any biome world-wide. Little is known about the breeding biology of upland breeding shorebirds in the Canadian prairies. Research in agro-ecosystems is important if we are to understand the breeding habitat needs of shorebirds and maintain the ecological function of agricultural landscapes. I described nest-site habitat characteristics and landscape composition at multiple scales for prairie breeding shorebirds. I examined nest success and nest-site selection patterns using logistic exposure and logistic regression analyses. The daily survival rate of Upland Sandpipers was negatively correlated with nest age and positively correlated with the proportion of crop in the landscape. Nest success of Willets was greatest in larger habitat patches. Contrary to my hypothesis, the proportion of idled grassland in the landscape was negatively correlated with nest success in Willets. The proportion of wetland cover was also negatively correlated with nest success in Willets. Upland Sandpipers preferred to nest in grassland patches surrounded by fragmented landscapes. Willets preferred to nest in landscapes with higher proportions of grazed grassland and lower proportions of cropland. Overall, shorebirds were not selecting to nest in optimal habitat.;Key words: habitat fragmentation; habitat selection; landscape; nest success; prairies; shorebirds...