Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Over the period of the project, my students and I have given over 30 presentations at state, national, and international professional meetings, included two invited sessions at meetings (one in Portuguese). I've also given 12 invited seminars, including two in Portuguese. Our work has also included nine general presentations on birds for the general public. Our work with Henslow's Sparrows has involved 100s of volunteers; the fieldwork is now managed by a high school science class. We also began an outreach and training bird-banding project at Bluebonnet Swamp, an urban park in Baton Rouge. The project reached 100s of K-12 students, particularly through our involvement in the summer camp program at the park. Graduate students Erik Johnson and Jared Wolfe also spearheaded a citizen-science effort to document the locations of oiled birds following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. We also produced two important products related to this project. First, we published a set of CDs with the voices of over 300 species. Second, we produced a guide to identification, aging, and sexing birds from the area. These two products have led to major advances in the quality of field data, and have contributed to the training of over 10 Brazilian interns and graduate students. PARTICIPANTS: Philip C. Stouffer, PhD, PI; Matthew Brooks, MS student; Emma DeLeon, MS student; Jennifer DiMiceli, MS student; David Fox, MS student; Erik Johnson, PhD student; Karl Mokross, PhD student; Laura Palasz, MS student; Luke Powell, PhD student; Falyn Owens, MS student; Jared Wolfe, PhD student. Mario Cohn-Haft, PhD, Brazilian Institute for Amazon Research, collaborator; Aida Repolho, Christian Borges Andretti, Marconi Cequeria, Claudier Vargas, and Thiago Costa intern on Brazil project; >50 volunteers, including high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, and general public. TARGET AUDIENCES: Land managers, wildlife professionals, and other researchers, including Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Forest Service. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
1) Bird communities in degraded cypress swamps- We found that Neotropical migrant breeding birds use both relatively intact and slightly degraded swamp, but that their abundance declines precipitously in severely degraded swamp. Radar analysis shows a similar pattern for passage migrants. The freshwater diversion will benefit these species if it enhances tree growth and survival. 2) Herbivory in degraded cypress swamps- birds, particularly Prothonotary Warblers, are important consumers of herbivorous caterpillars in swamp forests. 3) Henslow's Sparrows- We know many details of the distribution, diet, and demography of Henslow's Sparrows, and we have used this information to make management recommendations. 4) Effects of Hurricane Katrina on birds of conservation concern- We found relatively little effects on breeding Bachman's Sparrows or wintering Henslow's Sparrows. Both species benefit from opening the canopy of dense stands, provided the structure and diversity of ground-level vegetation is not disturbed by salvage operations; 5) Bird community response to site preparation- Bird communities increase in diversity and numbers as vegetation in clearcuts grows. Treatment effects alter vegetation, but have little effect on birds through four years of growth. 6) Ecology of birds in rainforest fragments- We know much more about long-term community change in response to landscape processes. In general, bird communities are largely determined by a combination of long-term processes for a small subset of species, but most species respond to matrix regrowth by recolonizing fragments. Over the course of this project my students and I have conducted research on: 1) bird communities in degraded cypress swamps, and likely effects on birds and alligators of freshwater diversion into the Maurepas Swamp (2 technicians, plus lead on Environmental Impact Assessment); 2) interactions of birds and herbivory in degraded cypress swamps (1 ms student); 3) habitat selection, appropriate management, diet, demography, and regional variation in abundance of Henslow's Sparrows in longleaf pine savannas (4 ms students); 4) effects of Hurricane Katrina and subsequent salvage logging on birds of conservation concern (1 ms student); 5) bird community response to site preparation practices in industrial loblolly pine forests (2 ms students); 6) abundance, diversity, and demography of birds in a fragmented rainforest landscape (4 PhD students); 7) habitat use and abundance of Rusty Blackbirds in central and southern Louisiana (1 ms student).
Publications
- Brooks, M.E. and P.C. Stouffer. 2010. Hurricane and salvage logging effects on Bachman's Sparrows. Condor 112: 744-753.
- Palasz, L.M., M.E. Brooks and P.C. Stouffer. 2010. Regional variation in abundance and response to fire by Henslow's Sparrows in Louisiana. Journal of Field Ornithology 81:153-164.
- Stouffer, P.C., C. Strong, and L.N. Naka. 2009. Twenty years of understory bird extinctions from Amazonian rainforest fragments: Consistent trends and landscape-mediated dynamics. Diversity and Distributions 15: 88-97.
- Naka, L.N., Stouffer, P.C., Cohn-Haft, M., Marantz, C.A., Whittaker, A., Bierregaard, R.O., Jr. 2009. Voices of the Brazilian Amazon, Vol. 1. Birds of the terra firme forests north of Manaus: Guianan area of endemism / Vozes da Amazonia Brasileira, Vol 1. Aves das florestas de terra firme ao norte de Manaus: Area de endemismo das Guianas. 4 CD-audio + booklet (40 pp.). Editora INPA. Manaus, Brazil. DiMiceli, J.K., P.C. Stouffer, E.I. Johnson, C. Leonardi, and E.B. Moser. 2007. Seed preferences of wintering Henslow's Sparrows. Condor 109: 595-604.
- Ferraz, G., J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines, P.C. Stouffer, R.O. Bierregaard, Jr., and T.E. Lovejoy. 2007. A large-scale deforestation experiment: Effects of patch area and isolation on Amazon birds. Science 315: 238-241.
- Stouffer, P.C. and R. O. Bierregaard, Jr. 2007. Recovery potential of understory bird communities in Amazonian rainforest fragments. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 15: 219-229 (invited paper).
- Stouffer, P.C. 2007. Density, territory size, and long-term spatial dynamics of a guild of terrestrial insectivorous birds near Manaus, Brazil. The Auk 124: 292-306.
- Stouffer, P.C., R.O. Bierregaard, Jr., C. Strong, and T.E. Lovejoy. 2006. Long-term landscape change and bird abundance in Amazonian rainforest fragments. Conservation Biology 20: 1212-1223. Stouffer, P.C. 2006. Longleaf pine forests: Wildlife of Louisiana's threatened grasslands. Louisiana Agriculture 49 (2):16-19.
- Bassett-Touchell, C.A. and P.C. Stouffer. 2006. Habitat selection by Swainson's Warblers breeding in loblolly pine plantations in southeastern Louisiana. Journal of Wildlife Management 70: 1013-1019.
- Van Houtan, K.S., S.L. Pimm, R.O. Bierregaard, Jr., T.E. Lovejoy, and P.C. Stouffer. 2006. Local extinctions in flocking birds in Amazonian forest fragments. Evolutionary Ecology Research 8: 129-148.
- Barlow, J., C.A. Peres, L.M.P. Henriques, P.C. Stouffer, and J.M. Wunderle. 2006. Responses of understorey birds to forest fragmentation, logging and wildfires: an Amazonian synthesis. Biological Conservation 128: 182-192.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In 2009 Matt Brooks defended his MS thesis on effects of hurricanes and subsequent salvage logging on wintering grassland birds, particularly Henslow's Sparrow. He also gave a presentation on this work at the annual meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union in Philadelphia. We also submitted the final report for a state-sponsored project on distribution and habitat associations of Henslow's Sparrows throughout Louisiana. An MS student continued fieldwork on effects of silvicultural practices on bird communities and on effects of hurricanes and salvage logging on breeding bird communities. Three graduate students and I continued fieldwork on the effects of rainforest fragmentation on Amazonian birds. These studies help provide insight into the impacts of habitat fragmentation throughout the Americas and in Louisiana. I gave invited seminars on this research at the University of New Mexico, the LSU Science Club, and Brazil's National Institute for Amazon Research (in Portuguese). Additionally, I disseminated the information in two referred publications. PARTICIPANTS: Philip C. Stouffer, PhD, PI; Erik Johnson, PhD student; Matthew Brooks, MS student; Karl Mokross, PhD student; Luke Powell, PhD student; Falyn Owens, MS student; Mario Cohn-Haft, PhD, Brazilian Institute for Amazon Research, collaborator; Christian Borges Andretti, Marconi Cequeria and Thiago Costa, interns on Brazil project; >50 volunteers, including high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, and general public. TARGET AUDIENCES: Land managers, wildlife professionals, and other researchers, including Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Forest Service. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Henslow's Sparrows and wintering grassland birds- Our recent research and more detailed analysis of earlier results from across Louisiana and southern Mississippi confirm that Henslow's Sparrows have no strong association with particular plant species, even though they have fairly predictable habitat associations. In areas with strong shrub encroachment, the only reliable habitat may be in bogs; fortunately, even small bogs (>0.25 ha) may be suitable. Also, local sites managed for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers provide suitable habitat for Henslow's Sparrows. The two other wintering species with conservation interest, Bachman's Sparrows and Sedge Wrens, have broader habitat tolerances. Early successional birds- As expected, bird diversity has increased and more species are breeding on the experimental silviculture plots than in the first three years after planting. We see no glaring differences due to treatment effects, but we won't formally analyze the data until after one more season. Hurricanes and salvage logging- Thinning by hurricane Katrina has benefited breeding grassland birds in southern Mississippi, apparently by opening the canopy. Salvage logging has not had a negative effect, possibly because good oversight by the US Forest Service has reduced soil compaction and other potentially damaging effects of the process. Amazonian birds- A key result from this year was production of a guide for aging birds captured as part of our long-term monitoring. Based on this new tool, we now know that that forest fragmentation affects the demographic structure of birds in the landscape, with dispersing juveniles representing the bulk of birds in small fragments for some species.
Publications
- Johnson, E.I., J.K. DiMiceli, and P.C. Stouffer. 2009. Timing of migration and patterns of winter settlement by Henslow's Sparrows. Condor 111: 730-739.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In the past year, one student finished her MS project on distribution, ecology, and management of Henslow's Sparrows, including presentations to stakeholders at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the annual meeting of the Wilson Ornithological Society. We submitted the final report for a project on effects of replanting practices on birds to the funding agency, Weyerhaeuser Company. We also gave a presentation on these results at the Wilson meeting. We continued work on hurricane and salvage logging impacts on birds, and on effects of rainforest fragmentation on birds in the Amazon. Outputs from the Amazon research included two invited seminars and the second edition of a set of CDs of bird and monkey vocalizations. The CDs are an important learning tool for anyone interested in identifying Amazonian birds. PARTICIPANTS: Philip C. Stouffer, PhD, PI; Erik Johnson, PhD student; Matthew Brooks, MS student; Laura Palasz, MS student; Antoinette Taylor, MS student; Falyn Owens, Research Associate; Mario Cohn-Haft, PhD, Brazilian Institute for Amazon Research, collaborator; Sandra Martins de Freitas, intern on Brazil project; Claudier Vargas, intern on Brazil project; >50 volunteers, including high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, and general public. TARGET AUDIENCES: Land managers, wildlife professionals, and other researchers, including Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Forest Service. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Henslow's Sparrows- Our recent research confirms that this grassland specialist is mainly restricted to recently-burned grasslands, although the window of habitat suitability appears to be longer in central and western Louisiana than in southeastern Louisiana. Even so, without burning for 3-4 years, habitat will become unsuitable. In De Soto National Forest, in Mississippi, where burning has been more irregular, Henslow's Sparrows are restricted to small bogs within pine forests. Early-successional birds- Two different row-spacing and debris management methods being considered by Weyerhaeuser did not affect bird communities in the first two years after planting. We will be continuing this project to see if differences emerge as the planted forest develops. We also surveyed Bachman's Sparrow, an early-successional species of special concern, in young stands prepared by Weyerhaeuser and in hurricane-damaged stands in De Soto. Bachman's Sparrows were present only in the first few years after planting or burning. Fortunately for the birds, they used stands that had been salvage logged after Hurricane Katrina. Amazonian birds- I've been participating in analysis of two datasets, one from the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, and one from Conservation International's TEAM initiative. A major outcome from 2008 was showing the sequence of bird extinctions over a 20 year period in a series of fragments, giving empirical support to a process that can generally only be inferred from post-hoc surveys.
Publications
- Naka, L.N.; Stouffer, P.C.; Cohn-Haft, M.; Marantz, C.A.; Whittaker, A.; Bierregaard, R.O., Jr. 2008. Voices of the Brazilian Amazon, Vol. 1. Birds of the terra firme forests north of Manaus: Guianan area of endemism. 4 CD-audio + booklet (40 pp.). Editora INPA. Manaus, Brazil.
- Stouffer, P.C., C. Strong, and L.N. Naka. 2009. Twenty years of understory bird extinctions from Amazonian rainforest fragments: Consistent trends and landscape-mediated dynamics. Diversity and Distributions 15: 88-97.
- Johnson, E.I., J.K. DiMiceli, and P.C. Stouffer. 2009 (In review after revision). Timing of migration and patterns of winter settlement by Henslow's Sparrows. Condor.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research in my lab in 2007 continued to address how landscape alteration and management affect forest birds. We continued work in longleaf pine savannahs, managed pine forests, and Amazonian rainforest fragments. In addition to this ongoing research, we also produced results from recent work in cypress swamps for which the fieldwork has been completed. These research areas produced output activities, events, services, and products. Major activities included considerable fieldwork, all of which involved graduate students and research technicians. We surveyed winter grassland birds, particularly Henslow's Sparrows, with repeated, systematic samples in 19 sites distributed from Shreveport to the Florida Parishes. Our work was mostly on public land managed for wildlife, with the goal of evaluating management success for Henslow's Sparrow, a species of considerable conservation concern. We worked with breeding birds in properties owned by Weyerhaeuser, with the goal of
determining how bedding techniques affect early-successional bird species. In Mississippi, we also surveyed breeding birds to evaluate the impact of Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent salvage logging on birds of conservation concern in De Soto National Forest. Work in Brazil was aimed at evaluating the long-term changes in rainforest bird communities following forest fragmentation. Events associated with my project included participation in conservation and general ornithological conferences (e.g. Henslow's Sparrow conservation planning workshop, Partners in Flight meeting, American Ornithologists' Union Meeting) and a presentation to local bird enthusiasts (keynote presentation to the Audubon BirdFest). Some of these presentations were made by graduate students, and all included data collected or analyzed by graduate students. Service activities included providing guidance to other projects working with birds, including serving on graduate committees of 18 graduate students. An
important product finalized in 2007 was a set of bird recordings of nearly 400 species from the central Amazon. This product, which will soon be available from the Institute for Amazon Research in Manaus, Brazil, will lead to considerable advancment in training researchers how to survey the complex avifauna of the world's largest rainforest. Main outreach dissemination beyond the scientific literature includes our second Research Highlight published by the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Research Program at Southeastern Louisiana University. This program publishes summaries for policymakers, teachers, and the general public (http://www2.selu.edu/orgs/pbrp/research_highlights.html). Our publication described how wetland degradation will affect bird communities. Some of the same data were also involved in our successful nomination of the Maurepas Swamp to be officially designated as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society.
PARTICIPANTS: Individuals- Philip C. Stouffer (PI) Matthew Brooks (field/lab technician) Jon Dale (field technician) Katie Percy (field technician) Jairo Lopes (field technician) Claudier Vargas (field technician) Partner organizations- US Fish and Wildlife Service Southeastern Louisiana University US Forest Service Weyerhaeuser Company US Environmental Protection Agency Institute for Amazon Research (INPA) Collaborators- Goncalo Ferraz (INPA) Claudia Leonardi (LSU) Barry Moser (LSU) James Nichols (USFWS) James Hines (USFWS) Thomas Lovejoy (Heinz Foundation) Richard Bierregaard (University of North Carolina- Charlotte) Mario Cohn-Haft (INPA) Training- Erik Johnson (PhD student) David Fox (PhD student) Antoinette Taylor (MS student) Laura Palasz (MS student) Matthew Brooks (MS student) Bonnie Whitehead (BS student) Shane Leggio (BS student) Volunteers include dozens of high school students, college students, and others interested in birds.
Impacts
Our work helps provide information important for management of birds, including species whose populations are declining due to loss of habitat. Hopefully the results will be acted upon to contribute positive changes in actions or conditions. Our work has contributed to a change in knowledge for all of the systems we study. For example, we know that degraded swamp forest can support densities of birds comparable to a healthy swamp, but that further deterioration of these forests could result in near complete loss of several characteristic species, as well as a dramatic reduction in suitable habitat for migrants passing through the area. This result applies directly to the decision-making process for overall management of Louisiana's swamp forests. We also showed that these local decisions have implications for migratory birds that pass through the area, including millions of birds breeding across eastern North America. Our work in progress will show whether our
management recommendations for Henslow's Sparrows derived from the Florida Parishes will also apply to the variety of grasslands found throughout the state. Our work in progress with Weyerhaeuser will provide information useful to them as they consider the biodiversity impact of planting strategies. Our long-term results from Brazil are part of the most comprehensive studies of forest fragmentation, and have been widely cited in the scientific literature, in the popular press, and in advice to policymakers by conservation organizations.
Publications
- DiMiceli, J.K., P.C. Stouffer, E.I. Johnson, C. Leonardi, and E.B. Moser. 2007. Seed preferences of wintering Henslow s Sparrows. Condor 109: 595-604.
- Ferraz, G., J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines, P.C. Stouffer, R.O. Bierregaard, Jr., and T.E. Lovejoy. 2007. A large-scale deforestation experiment: Effects of patch area and isolation on Amazon birds. Science 315: 238-241.
- Stouffer, P.C. and R. O. Bierregaard, Jr. 2007. Recovery potential of understory bird communities in Amazonian rainforest fragments. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 15: 203-213 (invited paper).
- Stouffer, P.C. 2007. Density, territory size, and long-term spatial dynamics of a guild of terrestrial insectivorous birds near Manaus, Brazil. The Auk 124: 292-306.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Research in 2006 continued to address how landscape alteration and management affect forest birds. In 2006 we concluded three projects in the swamps around Lake Maurepas. This area includes small patches of intact forest, and large areas of open marsh and degraded forest. Many ecologists are concerned with the disappearance of forested wetlands in this system as a result of climate change and lack of sediment input. In 2006 we completed an environmental impact statement for EPA of a potential diversion of water into the swamp from the Mississippi River. We determined that the diversion should improve habitat for Neotropical migrants if it decreases the amount of swamp forest opening up into marsh. We have shown that many swamp bird species can persist as some degradation occurs, but as forest turns to marsh, these species disappear. We also completed an analysis of radar detection of migrating birds using the swamp on their way to and from more northern breeding
grounds. This analysis showed differences in where birds stop between spring and fall, implying that restoration efforts should not be limited to one side of the lake. In both seasons, however, migrating birds avoid open marsh. Finally, we also addressed the role of insectivorous birds in improving tree growth through consumption of herbivorous insects. Although we found high densities of birds, and high consumption of caterpillars, this did not translate to a measurable effect on tree growth. Longleaf pine savannahs, which were historically maintained by natural fire, have been reduced to about 10% of their historical extent in Louisiana. These grasslands support several of the most habitat-sensitive species of birds in Louisiana, Henslow's Sparrow and Bachman's Sparrow. We continued work with both of these species in 2006, including a detailed study of survival, diet and food availability for Henslow's Sparrow. Although birds respond strongly to burning, abandoning habitat that has
not been burned for over two years, we found relatively little difference in survival between burned and unburned plots. We did find differences in diet, mostly corresponding to seed availability. Large areas of longleaf pine savannah have been converted to pine plantations. During the first few years after planting, these forests can support some grassland birds. We are currently studying how row spacing and treatment of logging debris affects bird communities in these stands. In 2006, our work in Amazonian rainforests included several analyses of long-term data that illustrated how landscape dynamics, such as second growth, affect birds in forest fragments. We found that even a small band of cleared vegetation can be a strong barrier to bird movements, leading to a dramatic decrease in bird activity. We also quantified one of the root causes of vulnerability of rainforest birds to habitat loss. Many of these species have unexpectedly large area requirements and patchy local
distributions, suggesting that only large reserves will effectively protect them. These results may also have strong implications for management of Louisiana forestlands for resident and migratory species.
Impacts
Our work helps provide information important for management of birds, particularly species whose populations are declining due to loss of habitat. For example, we know that degraded swamp forest can support densities of birds comparable to healthy swamp, but that further deterioration of these forests could result in near complete loss of several characteristic species, as well as a significant reduction in suitable habitat for migrants passing through the area. For this reason, the proposed diversion into the Maurepas area will have a significant positive environmental impact if it improves the condition of the swamp. Because of all the migratory birds that pass through the area, this research has an impact on birds breeding across eastern North America. We also know more about the best management choices for Henslow's Sparrows; although annual burning provides the preferred foods and leads to the highest density of birds, biennially-burned plots retain suitable
structure and food availability. Our extensive surveys have also documented Louisiana's pivotal importance for this species in winter. Our results from Brazil are both encouraging and cautionary. Abandoned agricultural land can naturally return to forest used by many forest species. On the other hand, small patches of forest isolated by active agricultural land have few characteristic forest species.
Publications
- Bassett-Touchell, C.A. and P.C. Stouffer. 2006. Habitat selection by Swainsons Warblers breeding in loblolly pine plantations in southeastern Louisiana. Journal of Wildlife Management 70: 1013-1019.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Research in my lab in 2005 led to significant progress toward understanding how landscape alteration and management affect forest birds. We worked on several discreet projects, including continuing studies of birds in longleaf pine savannahs, baldcypress-tupelo swamps, and Amazonian rainforest fragments. Longleaf pine savannahs, which were historically maintained by natural fire, have been reduced to about 10% of their historical extent in Louisiana. These open grasslands support several of the most habitat-sensitive species of birds in Louisiana, Henslow's Sparrow and Bachman's Sparrow. Through our work with these species, we know that Henslow's Sparrows rarely occupy areas that have not been burned for more than two years. We understand the structural differences associated with time since burn, which has allowed us to describe the optimal management for Henslow's Sparrow. We are now working on details of diet, condition, and survival across Louisiana savannahs. For
Bachman's Sparrow, we have mostly been identifying sites where the species breeds, which we hope will lead to more detailed research to understand its current status. The vast baldcypress-tupelo swamps around Lake Maurepas and western Lake Pontchartrain include small patches of intact forest, and large areas of both open marsh and degraded forest. Many ecologists are concerned with the disappearance of forested wetlands in this system as a result of climate change and lack of sediment input. Historically, these intact forests were home to high numbers of breeding Neotropical migrants. Our research has shown that many of these species can persist as some degradation occurs, but eventually, as forest turns to marsh, these species disappear. Our radar analysis of migrating birds suggests that similar patterns occur for passage migrants (birds only stopping in Louisiana on their way to and from northern breeding grounds). In addition to our conclusions about the numbers of forest birds
that can be supported in Louisiana wetlands, we have been studying the importance of birds as herbivores on insects that could limit growth of baldcypress and tupelo. Collaborators and I have been working on several projects related to conservation of birds in Amazonian rainforests. We completed analyses of long-term data that illustrated how landscape dynamics, such as second growth, affect birds in rainforest fragments. This work illustrates how appropriate management can partially ameliorate the consequences of forest loss. Another collaboration revealed the extremely strong negative effects of even rare fires on rainforest birds. Unfortunately, fires within rainforest have become increasingly common as human settlement reaches across greater portions of the Amazon. We also continued work on our collection of bird vocalizations from the northern Amazon. A second edition of this material should be published in 2006, providing a valuable educational tool for researchers who need to
learn the extremely diverse avifauna of Amazonia.
Impacts
Our work helps provide information important for management of birds, including species whose populations are declining due to loss of habitat. As an example, our worked has helped identify the appropriate burning regime to maintain populations of Henslow's Sparrow, a species almost entirely restricted to actively managed habitat. We are also examining how landscape change might affect birds in the future. We have shown that bird communities of cypress swamp forest can persist through a certain amount of forest degradation, but as wetland forests open up into marsh, most species of forest songbird disappear, as do migrants passing through the area.
Publications
- Bechtoldt, C.L. and P.C. Stouffer. 2005. Home-range size, response to fire, and habitat preferences of wintering Henslow's Sparrows. Wilson Bulletin 117: 211-225.
- Strong, C.M., D.R. Brown, and P.C. Stouffer. 2005. Frugivory by wintering Hermit Thrushes in Louisiana. Southeastern Naturalist 4: 627-638.
- Van Houtan, K.S., S.L. Pimm, R.O. Bierregaard, Jr., T.E. Lovejoy, and P.C. Stouffer. 2006. Local extinctions in flocking birds in Amazonian forest fragments. Evolutionary Ecology Research 8: 129-148.
- Barlow, J., C.A. Peres, L.M.P. Henriques, P.C. Stouffer, and J.M. Wunderle. 2006. Responses of understorey birds to forest fragmentation, logging and wildfires: an Amazonian synthesis. Biological Conservation 128: 182-192.
- Stouffer, P.C., R.O. Bierregaard, Jr., C. Strong, and T.E. Lovejoy. 2006. Long-term landscape change and bird abundance in Amazonian rainforest fragments. Conservation Biology, in press.
- Bassett-Touchell, C.A. and P.C. Stouffer. 2006. Habitat selection by Swainson's Warblers breeding in loblolly pine plantations in southeastern Louisiana, USA. Journal of Wildlife Management, in press.
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