Presenter: Aaron Yappert, Natural Resource Ecology and Management, GIS Certificate Candidate 
Advisor: Dr. Anna Tucker, Dr. Stephen J. Dinsmore

Abstract

Arctic breeding shorebirds face a multitude of threats, many of which are driven or exacerbated by climate change or human development. Trophic mismatches may lead to reduced resources for newly hatched chicks, irregular spring snow melt can alter the timing of nesting, and warmer temperatures and human infrastructure can support foreign nest predators. To understand how shorebirds respond to these ecological and environmental signals we fit Dunlin (Calidris alpina arcticola) with solar-powered GPS devices to track their movements during the breeding season in Northern Alaska. We used spatial movement models, such as hidden Markov models and continuous-time movement models, to compare bird movements with environmental covariates. From this we can understand how Dunlin movements and behaviors are influenced by the environment around them and gain important insights into how these birds may adapt to their changing environment.

The GIS Seminar Series is hosted by the Department of Community and Regional Planning.