Latitudinal variation in population ecology of neotropical migrant shorebirds

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Key questions in the study of the evolution of bird migration and conservation biology include understanding the causes of intraspecific variation in breeding and non-breeding ranges, associated with wide variation in distances flown between these sites. This variation can have important consequences for vital rates and population dynamics.  My previous research has focused on intensive studies at several locations, where I have documented individual-based variation in habitat use, behaviour, and population dynamics, both among and within species of migratory birds. I plan to expand this research to examine underlying reasons for latitudinal variation in these features of shorebird (SO: Charadrii) biology. The study species breed in Arctic Canada, a region that is predicted to be critically affected by climate change. Plovers spend the non-breeding season  from southern United States to northeastern Brazil.  I propose to sustain an intensive long-term study of breeding Semipalmated Plovers at Churchill, Manitoba, to further work on plovers and Red-necked Phalaropes at three other arctic breeding locations along a latitudinal gradient (Southampton and Akimiski Islands, NU and the Mackenzie Delta, NWT), (3) initiate several studies of migrating shorebirds at three Canadian and American migratory locations, and (4) further work on plovers across a latitudinal gradient at three non-breeding locations including southeastern U.S., Cuba and northeastern Brazil. This information will assist in understanding why particular breeding and non-breeding locations are critical for maintaining two of the many declining Canadian shorebird species.