CRB: Dispersal, Metapopulation Dynamics, and Conservation

自1600年以来，93%的鸟类灭绝发生在岛屿上，世界上现存的濒危鸟类中有一半是岛屿形式的。夏威夷所有特有的水鸟都濒临灭绝。这些物种以集合种群的形式存在，因为它们占据着支离破碎的栖息地，而且当地的动态受到邻近种群的影响。集合种群模型一直是关于碎片化环境中濒危物种状况的信息来源。碎片化湿地中的滨鸟种群为检验集合种群模型的假设和预测及其与保护生物学的相关性提供了一个很好的自然实验室。因此，这项研究的目的是量化濒危夏威夷高跷(Himantopus Micianus Nuudseni)种群之间的生存、繁殖和移动，并将这些数据用作发展集合种群动态模型的参数。具体地说，这项研究将(1)开发一个集合种群模型，避免由于对个体运动的不完全了解而产生的错误，(2)直接应用于了解濒危物种的本地种群持续和灭绝，(3)提供一个适用于夏威夷群岛和其他地方更多濒危水鸟的初始模型，以及(4)帮助验证关键的集合种群模型假设。这项研究将为珍稀物种保护提供关键信息。这项研究的结果将有助于保护区设计、湿地损失修复的选址以及预测种群对管理行动的反应。此外，为夏威夷高跷开发的模型将作为保护夏威夷和世界各地其他濒危水鸟的初步模型。

Ninety-three percent of avian extinctions since 1600 have occurred on islands and half of the extant endangered birds in the world are island forms. All endemic waterbirds in Hawaii are endangered. These species exist as metapopulations because they occupy fragmented habitats and local dynamics are influenced by neighboring populations. Metapopulation models have served as a source of information regarding the status of endangered species in fragmented environments. Shorebird populations in fragmented wetlands provide an excellent natural laboratory to test assumptions and predictions of metapopulation models and their relevance to conservation biology. Thus, the purpose of this research is to quantify survival, reproduction, and movement among populations of the endangered Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), and to use these data as parameters for development of a model of metapopulation dynamics. Specifically, this research will (1) develop a metapopulation model that avoids errors due to incomplete knowledge of individual movements, (2) apply directly to understanding local population persistence and extinction of an endangered species, (3) provide an initial model applicable to additional endangered waterbirds in the Hawaiian Islands, and elsewhere, and (4) help to validate critical metapopulation model assumptions. %%% This study will provide critical information on rare species conservation. Results from this research will aid reserve design, site selection for wetland loss remediation, and predictions of population response to management actions. In addition, the model developed for Hawaiian Stilts will serve as a preliminary model for the conservation of other endangered waterbirds in Hawaii and worldwide.