A study published in the journal ‘Ecology and Evolution’ provides crucial insights into how songbird species are responding to environmental changes and habitat management in North America’s pinyon-juniper woodlands and sagebrush ecosystems. Researchers, led by Nicholas J. Van Lanen and his team, have developed large-scale models to predict the responses of 11 songbird species to changing resource conditions, specifically focusing on the effects of pinyon-juniper removal, a common practice aimed at restoring sagebrush ecosystems and aiding species like the Greater Sage-grouse​​​​.
The study explored the population trends and density-habitat relationships for four sagebrush-associated, four pinyon-juniper-associated, and three generalist songbird species. Through extensive point count data collected across the western United States from 2008 to 2020, the research team identified regional population changes in these species. Notably, six of the 11 species studied showed population increases in the highest elevation regions. The models indicate that pinyon-juniper removal will benefit species such as Brewer’s Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, and Sage Thrasher while potentially having negative effects on species that occupy early successional pinyon-juniper woodlands like Bewick’s Wren, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Gray Flycatcher, and Juniper Titmouse​​.
The study emphasizes the importance of considering the effects on non-target species when implementing large-scale habitat manipulations. By evaluating the predicted responses of these songbird species to various environmental changes and management practices, the research provides essential guidance for conservation planning. The study’s findings underscore the complex relationships between different bird species and their habitats, highlighting the need for nuanced conservation strategies that consider the varied needs of multiple species across different ecosystems​​.
This research serves as a valuable resource for conservation planners, offering spatially explicit predictions for regions capable of supporting high densities of songbirds, robust estimates of regional population trends, and inferences on how habitat for these species may change. By guiding the protection of important regions for wildlife and prioritizing the conservation of species at risk from current and future ecosystem changes, this study plays a crucial role in informing species-specific responses to vegetation treatments and aiding balanced habitat management​​.
For students and the general public, this study illustrates the interconnectedness of ecological practices and wildlife conservation, highlighting the delicate balance required in ecosystem management to support diverse species.
Citation: Van Lanen, N.J., et al. (2023). Living on the edge: Predicting songbird response to management and environmental changes across an ecotone. Ecology and Evolution, DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10648.
