Williams, Simone Elise

Type:

Names:

Creator (cre): Williams, Simone Elise, Thesis advisor (ths): Nol, Erica, Degree committee member (dgc): Burness, Gary, Degree committee member (dgc): Bowman, Jeff, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University

Abstract:

Three long-term mark and recapture/resight data sets of individually marked

Semipalmated Plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus) were analyzed using Cormack-Jolly-

Seber models. Data came from two breeding populations (Churchill, Manitoba, Canada,

n=982, and Egg Island, Alaska, USA, n=84) and one overwintering population

(Cumberland Island, Georgia, USA, n=62). For Alaska and Georgia, time-invariant

models were best-supported, giving annual survival estimates of 0.67 (95%C.I.: 0.58-

0.76) and 0.59 (95%C.I.: 0.49-0.67) respectively. Data from Manitoba supported a timedependent

model: survival estimates varied from 1.00 to 0.36, with lowest estimates from

recent years, supporting observations of local population decline. Seasonal survival

analysis of the Georgia population indicated lower mortality during winter (monthly

Φoverwinter: 0.959, 95%CI: 0.871-0.988; for 6 month period Φoverwinter: 0.780 (0.440-0.929))

than during combined breeding and migratory periods (monthly ΦBreeding+Migration: 0.879

(0.825-0.918); for 8 month ΦBreeding+Migration: 0356 (0.215-0.504)). I recommend, based on

high resight rates, continued monitoring of survival of wintering populations, to

determine potential range-wide population declines.

Keywords: survival, longevity, mortality, shorebird, overwinter, breeding, migration, life

cycle

Author Keywords: life cycle, longevity, mortality, non-breeding, shorebird, survival

2019