Poster Abstract Details

Author(s):
Paige Barlow, Jeff Hepinstall-Cymerman, Myung-Bok Lee

Affiliation:
University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources

Presentation Type:
Poster

Topic Area:
Monitoring and predicting human influences on landscapes and ecosystems

Abstract Text:
The Southern Appalachian Mountains are a biodiversity hot-spot and influence water quantity and quality throughout the Southeast. Research at the Coweeta Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site has addressed regional ecology for many decades, and a current focus of Coweeta LTER is on the effects of land use. While traditionally forested and agricultural, this region is undergoing amenity-driven exurbanization. The effects of this development on the biodiversity of Southern Appalachia and the response of regional decision-makers have not yet been determined. However, previous research conducted across rural-urban gradients has shown that changes in land use and land cover affect avian species richness. We present results from a pilot study surveying bird species at 37 sites across a range of land uses and land cover classes around Coweeta. Several occupancy models were fit to these data, but the occupancy model with detection probability influenced by time was most suitable. Species richness was estimated for each of the 37 sites, and we are currently identifying significant environmental covariates. Beginning in the summer of 2010 we plan to expand the avian sampling and occupancy modeling. Further, the bird data, along with data on salamander occupancy, will be used to develop a series of predictive occupancy models for the Southern Appalachian region. These models will be validated and modified in subsequent field seasons. Throughout this project, stakeholders from the region will be involved, and the goal for our final research product is to assist regional land planning and resource management.