Shorebird Ecology, Conservation, and Management

✍ Scribed by Mark A. Colwell

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 343
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Shorebirds are model organisms for illustrating the principles of ecology and excellent subjects for research. Their mating systems are as diverse as any avian group, their migrations push the limits of endurance, and their foraging is easily studied in the open habitats of estuaries and freshwater wetlands. This comprehensive text explores the ecology, conservation, and management of these fascinating birds. Beginning chapters examine phylogenetic relationships between shorebirds and other birds, and cover shorebird morphology, anatomy, and physiology. A section on breeding biology looks in detail at their reproductive biology. Because shorebirds spend much of their time away from breeding areas, a substantial section on non-breeding biology covers migration, foraging ecology, and social behavior. The text also covers shorebird demography, population size, and management issues related to habitat, predators, and human disturbances. Throughout, it emphasizes applying scientific knowledge to the conservation of shorebird populations, many of which are unfortunately in decline.

✦ Table of Contents

Contents
Preface and Acknowledgments
Part I. Evolutionary Relationships, Anatomy and Morphology, and Breeding Biology
1. INTRODUCTION
2. SYSTEMATICS, PHYLOGENY, AND PHYLOGEOGRAPHY
3. MORPHOLOGY, ANATOMY, AND PHYSIOLOGY
4. MATING SYSTEMS
5. BREEDING BIOLOGY
Part II. Nonbreeding Ecology and Demography
6. MIGRATION
7. FORAGING ECOLOGY AND HABITAT USE
8. SHOREBIRDS AS PREDATORS
9. SPATIAL ECOLOGY AND WINTER SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
10. POPULATION BIOLOGY
Part III. Management and Conservation
11. HABITAT CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
12. MANAGING PREDATORS
13. MANAGING HUMAN DISTURBANCE
14. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
Appendix
Index