The effects of patch shape on indigo buntings. Evidence for an ecological trap

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2005 · Ecology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1890/04-0913· OSTI ID:840848

Weldon, Aimee J. ^[1]; Haddad, Nick M. ^[2]

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1. USDA Forest Service, New Ellenton, SC (United States); USDA Forest Service, Savannah River
2. USDA Forest Service, New Ellenton, SC (United States)

Weldon, Aimee, J., and Nick M. Haddad. 2005. The effect of patch shape on indigo buntings: Evidence for an ecological trap. Ecology 86(6):1422-1431. Abstract. Habitat loss and fragmentation have led to a widespread increase in the proportion of edge habitat in the landscape. Disturbance-dependent bird species are widely assumed to benefit from these edges. However, anthropogenic edges may concentrate nest predators while retaining habitat cues that birds use to select breeding habitat. This may lead birds to mistakenly select dangerous habitat a phenomenon known as an ecological trap. We experimentally demonstrated how habitat shape, and thus amount of edge, can adversely affect nest site selection and reproductive success of a disturbance-dependent bird species, the Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea). We did so within a landscape-scale experiment composed of equal-area habitat patches that differed in their amount of edge. Indigo Buntings preferentially selected edgy patches, which contained 50% more edge than more compact rectangular patches. Further, buntings fledged significantly fewer young per pair in edgy patches than in rectangular patches. These results provide the first experimental evidence that edges can function as ecological traps.

• Research Organization: USDA Forest Service, New Ellenton, SC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM)
• DOE Contract Number: AI09-00SR22188
• OSTI ID: 840848
• Journal Information: Ecology, Journal Name: Ecology Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 86; ISSN 1365-2745
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
BIRDS
BREEDING
FRAGMENTATION
HABITAT
INDIGO
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
SHAPE
SITE SELECTION
disturbance-dependent birds
ecological trap
edge habitat
fragmentation
habitat selection
nest success
patch shape
reproductive success