Reproductive success is a key demographic parameter that can have profound impacts on a species’ population trend; however, broad-scale nest survival data are unavailable for all Arctic-breeding shorebird species. Accordingly, we set out to 1) measure current nest survival rates across a large area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and 2) identify predators of nests, so as to help elucidate the potential role reproductive failure plays in current shorebird population declines. This information is also relevant for assessing the indirect effects of land management decisions such as oil and gas development on a species’ reproductive success. In 2019 and 2022, we monitored 129 shorebird nests of 9 species using minimal disturbance methods across 43 survey areas randomly selected throughout the northwest portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The specific objectives of this study were to: 1) provide a contemporary baseline assessment of the predatory species responsible for shorebird nest failure, and while doing so, provide rates of nest survival prior to oil exploration and development on the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge in Alaska, 2) provide an assessment of how shorebird nest survival rates vary among species and habitats, as well as regionally, temporally, and annually across a large landscape using random selection of survey plots and minimal disturbance methods that minimize the potential of site-specific or researcher effects, and 3) assess the use of cameras on shorebird nest survival rates.
The data providers have invested considerable effort in QA/QC, but it is possible that undetected errors remain. It is strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data to evaluate data set limitations, restrictions or intended use. The originators of this dataset shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein.
Potential users of these data should first contact the data authors listed below, as potential biases may occur within the data depending on the intended use. Therefore, potential users should contact the data authors to discuss intended use and how these data may or may not be applicable.
General field methods are available in annual protocol documents that detail specific annual methodologies.
