Seasonal habitat use by Arctic Alaskan shorebirds

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Studies in Avian Biology; ()

OSTI ID:6307793

Connors, P G; Myers, J P; Pitelka, F A

Shorebirds display a wide range in seasonal patterns of habitat use along the Arctic coast near Point Barrow, Alaska. Differences between species reflect habitat preferences, the timing of movements with respect to seasonal habitat availability, and whether the use is breeding, postbreeding, or migrational. During the breeding season (June and July), most activity is centered on the tundra, but by early August a marked coastal movement occurs, resulting in high densities of particular species in shoreline and adjacent habitats. In August and September, widespread use of littoral habitats develops, especially for such species as Red Phalarope, Ruddy Turnstone, and Sanderling. In contrast, Golden Plovers and Pectoral Sandpipers restrict most of their activities to the tundra. Other species exhibit intermediate patterns of habitat use. These patterns determine the dependence of each species on Arctic coastal habitats, and the susceptibility of each to disturbances related to outer continental shelf oil development.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Berkeley
• OSTI ID: 6307793
• Journal Information: Studies in Avian Biology; (), Journal Name: Studies in Avian Biology; () Vol. 2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550100* -- Behavioral Biology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALASKA
ANIMALS
BIRDS
ECOLOGY
FEDERAL REGION X
HABITAT
NORTH AMERICA
POPULATION DENSITY
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SHORES
SPECIES DIVERSITY
USA
VARIATIONS
VERTEBRATES