Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2021

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Gawlik, Dale E.

Abstract

Wetland loss and degradation have led to the development of restoration programs worldwide, many of which monitor wading bird populations as indicators of wetland quality. Therefore, efficient, standardized monitoring is integral to restoration progress. I tested the use of passive acoustic monitoring to estimate nest abundances and provisioning rates in wading bird colonies and examined regional nesting dynamics in the Florida Everglades, where a long monitoring record enables analysis of nesting patterns relative to hydrologic changes. I found that call rates can serve as indices of colony nest abundances and begging call rate and timing are indicative of provisioning events. Nesting dynamics suggested that resource availability is asynchronous between regions of the Everglades, but the degree of asynchrony varies with species. The conclusions of this study will facilitate the long-term monitoring of wading bird nesting trends, which are important measures of wetland restoration in Florida and worldwide.

Extent

128 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2021.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00013771

Format

pdf

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