Date of Award
1-3-2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Environmental Sciences, MS
First Advisor
James Bednarz
Committee Members
Daniel Scheiman; Steven Green; Thomas Risch
Call Number
LD251 .A566t 2011 T56
Abstract
Eastern populations of Bewick's Wrens (Thryomanes bewickii) have declined dramatically within the last century. The cause of the decline is unknown, though loss of early-successional habitat and interspecific interference by House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon) are commonly cited hypotheses. In this study, I used broadcast and citizen science surveys to determine the status of Bewick's Wrens in Arkansas. My results combined with those found by the 59 citizen scientists registered for the Arkansas Wren Survey suggest that Bewick's Wrens are functionally extirpated in Arkansas. I determined that Bewick's Wrens occupy open habitat characterized by scattered tall trees with a grassy understory. Based on my data, I suggest that habitat loss was likely the driving force of Bewick's Wren decline, though interference by House Wrens may have been a contributing factor. Finally, I concluded that with modified protocols, citizen scientists can be a useful resource when surveying for a rare species.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Thompson, Sarah Grace, "The Distribution, Occupancy, and Habitat Affinities of Bewick's Wrens (Thryomanes bewickii bewickii) in Arkansas" (2012). Student Theses and Dissertations. 906.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/906
