Reproductive success of the interior least tern (Sterna Antillarum) in relation to hydrology on the Lower Mississippi River

Dugger, K. M.; Ryan, M. R.; Galat, D. L.; Renken, R. B.; Smith, J. W.

Abstract:

The annual hydrograph of large rivers, including flood pulses and low-flow periods, is believed to play a primary role in the productivity of biota associated with these ecosystems. We investigated the relationship between river hydrology and Interior least tern (Sterna antillarum) reproductive success on the Lower Mississippi River from April to July 1986-1993. The number of fledglings produced per adult pair was negatively correlated with July mean (r= -0.95, p = 0.0004) and July maximum river elevation (r= -0.97, p = 0.0001), but no other aspect of river hydrology were related to tern reproduction. Low-water elevations in July may benefit least tern reproductive success by increasing sand island area or the area of shallow-water habitat that surrounds islands. Loss of deep-water habitats in conjunction with an increase in shallow habitat during stage decreases may concentrate fish prey in shallow-water habitats and backwater areas, thereby increasing food availability during chick-rearing. Copyright ?? 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Genre:

Article

ProdID:

70024335

Citation Author:

Dugger, K. M.; Ryan, M. R.; Galat, D. L.; Renken, R. B.; Smith, J. W.

Citation Contributing Office:

Citation Datum:

Citation Day:

Citation Edition:

Citation Editor:

Citation End Page:

105

Citation Issue:

Citation Keywords:

Citation Language:

English

Citation Larger Work Title:

River Research and Applications

Citation LatN:

Citation LatS:

Citation LonE:

Citation LonW:

Citation Month:

Citation No Pagination:

Citation Number Of Pages:

Citation Online Only Flag:

Citation Phsyical Description:

Citation Projection:

Citation Public Comments:

Citation Publisher:

Citation Series:

Citation Series Code:

Citation Series Number:

Citation Search Results Text:

Reproductive success of the interior least tern (Sterna Antillarum) in relation to hydrology on the Lower Mississippi River; 2002; Article; Journal; River Research and Applications; Dugger, K. M.; Ryan, M. R.; Galat, D. L.; Renken, R. B.; Smith, J. W.