Skip to main content

Abigail Lawson

thumbnail
Raptor populations are already seeing the effects of climate change through impacts on migration biology and vital rates (i.e. changes in the size and composition of a population). However, the decision framework used by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) to estimate population trends and set allowable take limits from commercial and recreational activities does not take into account how birds of prey are affected by climate variability. Given that climate change is already impacting raptors, assumptions of unchanging population rates are increasingly unrealistic and cast doubt on predictions of flyway-scale allowable take derived from existing frameworks. Flyway-scale allowable take refers to take limits set...
The white-tailed ptarmigan is the smallest grouse species in North America and is endemic to alpine habitat. Despite reintroduction efforts in the 1980s, ptarmigan are now functionally extirpated from the southernmost portion of their historic range, located in northern New Mexico. Due to a lack of monitoring, the causes of extirpation remain unclear, and could be attributed to climate change, geographic isolation (a consequence of being a periphery population), or other unknown causes. The proposed study will evaluate the demographic outcomes of a newly-reintroduced ptarmigan population from Colorado. The study will estimate survival probability and nest survival nesting behavior, and habitat use patterns and the...
ScienceBase brings together the best information it can find about USGS researchers and offices to show connections to publications, projects, and data. We are still working to improve this process and information is by no means complete. If you don't see everything you know is associated with you, a colleague, or your office, please be patient while we work to connect the dots. Feel free to contact sciencebase@usgs.gov.