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The Role of Exotic Shrubs in Determining Nesting Success of Hooded Warblers

Garrett, Daniel Roy
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1449082191

Abstract Details

2015, Master of Science, University of Akron, Biology.
Past research suggests that avian nests in exotic shrubs are more susceptible to depredation and represent an ecological trap. In this study, we explore the relationship between exotic plants, nest predation, and nest-site selection to test the hypothesis that nests in exotic plants are more susceptible to depredation then nests in native plants. We used the Hooded warbler (Setophaga citrina), a forest-understory obligate, as a model species for this study. In 2013 and 2014, we monitored nests in forest parks in Summit County, Ohio. In these parks, Hooded warblers primarily selected exotic plants for nesting sites (73% of 133 nests). The preferred species for nesting sites for Hooded Warblers were Rosa multiflora, the genus Lonicera, Lingustrum vulgare, and native saplings (24%, 13%, 27% and 26% respectively). We analyzed the influence of nest-site choice on nest success at the nest and patch scale, and found no relationship between nesting success and exotic species. Similar to previous studies, we found no evidence that typical habitat measurements, except for nest height influenced. However, we found that nests initiated later in the season were more likely to survive to fledging. Including clutch initiation date into our model of nest fate suggested that nests placed in exotic shrubs had worse nesting success than nests placed in native plants. However, this pattern switched mid-way through the season to suggest that nests within exotic shrubs were more successful than nests in native plants. The natural nest experiment suggested a pattern of differential nesting success between nests in privet and rose. Recognizing this pattern we set out to test it with an artificial nest experiment. The results of this experiment showed there is a significantly higher chance of a nest fledging from rose than nests in privet. All together, these results do not support the hypothesis that nests in exotic plants are ecological traps and are more susceptible to depredation. In disturbed landscapes where over abundant deer populations limit the availability of native understory plants, the ability for exotic plants to tolerate deer browse may provide important habitat for Hooded warblers and other forest wildlife.
Randall Mitchell, Dr. (Advisor)
Gregory Smith, Dr. (Advisor)
Matthem Shawkey, Dr. (Advisor)
41 p.
Ecology
Exotic Shrubs, nesting success, nest predation, invasion ecology, Hooded Warbler, Setophaga citrina

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Garrett, D. R. (2015). The Role of Exotic Shrubs in Determining Nesting Success of Hooded Warblers [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1449082191

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Garrett, Daniel. The Role of Exotic Shrubs in Determining Nesting Success of Hooded Warblers. 2015. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1449082191.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Garrett, Daniel. "The Role of Exotic Shrubs in Determining Nesting Success of Hooded Warblers." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1449082191

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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