Author: Maeve    Studholme

Major: Ecology and Environmental Sciences

Graduation Year: 2022

Thesis Advisor: Katharine Ruskin

Description of Publication: Tidal marsh sparrow species like Saltmarsh Sparrows (Ammospiza caudacuta), Nelson’s Sparrows (Ammospiza nelsoni) and Seaside Sparrows (Ammospiza maritima) are particularly vulnerable to the environmental stressors related to climate change and human activity like sea-level rise, warming temperatures, and increased coastal development, as they nest in the grasses of tidal marsh ecosystems where the principal mode of nest mortality is flooding. With increased sea-level rise, these species may not be equipped to adapt to changing tidal cycles, and thus have reduced fitness and population sizes. Saltmarsh Sparrows are experiencing sharp declines in population, so it is more vital than ever to investigate patterns in breeding behaviors, plumage wear, and latitudinal differences to develop feasible conservation strategies. My study investigates the differences in plumage wear and severity across conspecifics in Saltmarsh, Nelson’s, and Seaside Sparrows and identifies significant relationships between the date of capture, latitude, and severity of feather wear observed. I observed a decrease in plumage wear and broken feather percentage with latitude but an increase in these metrics in relation to date. Conversely, fault bars and severity displayed an increase with latitude but a decrease with date. Lastly, my findings demonstrate high amounts of feather wear in Seaside Sparrows compared to Saltmarsh and Nelson’s Sparrows.

Location of Publication:

URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/737