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Causes And Consequences Of Individual Variation In Body Condition And Reproductive Effort In American Kestrels (Falco Sparverius)

EPA Grant Number: U915336
Title: Causes And Consequences Of Individual Variation In Body Condition And Reproductive Effort In American Kestrels (Falco Sparverius)
Investigators: Ardia, Daniel R.
Institution: Cornell University
EPA Project Officer: Broadway, Virginia
Project Period: August 25, 1998 through January 1, 2000
Project Amount: $101,540
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1998)
Research Category: Academic Fellowships , Fellowship - Ecology and Ecosystems , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration

Description:

Objective:

Different rates of survival and reproduction among individuals within a species underlie patterns of distribution and abundance. Such differences can arise due to differences among sites in the quality of habitat or in the quality of individuals or both. The goal of this research is to investigate the causes and consequences of individual variation in reproductive success in American kestrels (Falco sparverius). I will work along a geographical gradient from Quebec to Georgia. At three locations, I will monitor reproduction and survival as a function of body condition and quality of habitat and conduct intensive behavioral observations to determine what role foraging effort plays in influencing body condition and reproductive success. To test hypotheses, I will experimentally manipulate the number of available nest-sites and handicap adults. The ecological and conservation implications of this research include providing a basis for understanding how species may respond to large-scale changes such as global climate change and smaller scale changes such as habitat loss and fragmentation.

Supplemental Keywords:

Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Habitat, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, exploratory research environmental biology, wildlife, Ecology, Ecological Risk Assessment, Ecological Indicators, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecosystem Protection, Ecology and Ecosystems, Environmental Monitoring, falco sparverious, body condition, quality of habitat, monitoring, individual variability, conservation, american kestrels, reproductive health, distribution, habitat loss

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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