NPS: Nature&Science»Networks: San Francisco Bay Area Network»Monitoring

Landbird Population Dynamics

Landbirds are good indicators of terrestrial ecosystems and numerous dynamic processes interacting together have the potential to affect their abundance and distribution. Landbird monitoring is focused in priority areas including riparian and coastal scrub/chaparral habitats. Changes in species abundance, distribution, reproductive success, and annual survival may be caused by changes in habitat, food supply, park management strategies, disturbance to nesting areas by recreational users, or environmental factors on multiple scales (localized storm events to decadal shifts in climate).

Monitoring Objectives

Detect a 50% change in the population size (i.e., abundance) of target species in riparian and coastal scrub/chaparral habitats during breeding season (mist-netting, point counts), fall (mist-netting, area search), and winter (mist-netting) over a 20-year period, with an 80% probability of detecting change if it occurs

Detect a 25% change in species richness and occurrence of select landbird species in riparian and coastal scrub / chaparral habitats during breeding season (mist-netting, point counts), fall (mist-netting, area search), and winter (mist-netting) of each park over a 20 year period (target species for inclusion in analyses is in development).

Determine long-term changes in productivity and annual survival for select landbird species in riparian habitat using mist nets.

Reports and Resources

Contact Information

Marcus Koenen
I&M Coordinator
415-331-5734

Link to Intranet Page (NPS only)

Monitoring Protocol

Plots will be selected from stations set up during previous inventory and monitoring work at PORE, GOGA, and PINN.
Specifically, at PORE and GOGA: (1) Continue mist-netting at all previously established / currently monitored mist-netting study sites year-round at Palomarin, Muddy Hollow, and Pine Gulch and only during the breeding season at Lagunitas Creek and Redwood Creek. (2) Continue nest monitoring at Palomarin (3) Conduct point count surveys annually at all previously established / currently monitored stations in coastal scrub / chaparral and riparian habitats. (4) Establish mist netting at one new coastal scrub site (likely the same as one of the proposed point count plots). (5) Establish point count surveys at two new coastal scrub sites (likely one site will be the same as the proposed mist-netting station). (6) Conduct vegetation sampling at all point count survey sites once every five years.
PINN: (1) Conduct point count surveys annually at all previously established stations. (2) Conduct vegetation sampling at all point count survey sites once every five years.
The implementation will occur with a cyclic rotation: 3 years on/ 3 years off.

top of page