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型。所有夏威夷特有的水鸟都濒临灭绝。这些物种作为集合种群存在，因为它们占据了破碎的栖息地，当地的动态受到邻近种群的影响。集合种群模型已成为一个信息来源，在破碎的环境中的濒危物种的地位。滨鸟种群在破碎的湿地提供了一个很好的自然实验室，以测试假设和预测的集合种群模型及其相关性保护生物学。因此，本研究的目的是量化濒危夏威夷高跷（Himantopus mexicanus knudseni）种群之间的生存，繁殖和运动，并使用这些数据作为参数的集合种群动态模型的发展。具体来说，本研究将（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导致的错误，（2）直接应用于了解当地种群的持续性和濒危物种的灭绝，（3）提供一个适用于夏威夷群岛和其他地方其他濒危水鸟的初始模型，以及（4）帮助验证关键集合种群模型假设。 这项研究将为珍稀物种保护提供重要信息。这项研究的结果将有助于保护区的设计，湿地损失修复选址，并预测人口对管理措施的反应。此外，为夏威夷高跷开发的模型将作为夏威夷和世界范围内其他濒危水鸟保护的初步模型。

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.