INVERTEBRATE ABUNDANCE AT OCCUPIED AND POTENTIAL PIPING PLOVER NESTING BEACHES: GREAT PLAINS ALKALI WETLANDS VS. THE GREAT LAKES
Nordstrom LH and Ryan MR. 1996. INVERTEBRATE ABUNDANCE AT OCCUPIED AND POTENTIAL PIPING PLOVER NESTING BEACHES: GREAT PLAINS ALKALI WETLANDS VS. THE GREAT LAKES. Wetlands. 16(4):429-435
We assessed the potential for reestablishment of endangered piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) at selected Great Lakes beaches by comparing invertebrate biomass and abundance with that at alkali wetland beaches occupied by breeding plovers in the Great Plains. We measured invertebrate occurrence using sticky traps secured to beach foraging substrates. Diptera (especially Chironomidae and Ephydridae) comprised from 45 to 99% of invertebrate abundance and 24 to 53% of the biomass at six separate sites in the Great Lakes. Coleoptera ( 0.05) to that at North Dakota alkali beaches (0.09 g/mVlhr) occupied by breeding piping plovers. However, at four other Great Lakes beaches, we measured 3 to 6 times less (0.01--O.02 g/mVhr; P < 0.01) invertebrate biomass than at the alkali wetland beaches. Mean invertebrate abundance showed similar patterns among the sites. Food availability may limit the reestablishment of piping plovers at some Great Lakes beaches. We recommend that invertebrate abundance and biomass be measured at currently occupied piping plover nesting areas in the Great Lakes and be assessed at any sites proposed for reintroduction of piping plovers.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Nordstrom, Lori; Ryan, Mark
- Units
- APIS
- Keywords
- alkali wetlands, Charadrius melodus, food availability, Great Lakes, invertebrates, piping plover, reintroduction, wetland beaches