Benthic invertebrates at foraging locations of nine waterbird species in managed wetlands of the northern San Joaquin Valley, California

摘要: The ecologies of waterbirds are closely tied to the distribution and abundance food resources. For many species waterfowl shorebirds, benthic invertebrates (especially Chironomidae) an important dietary component that influences habitat selection. Consequently, we sampled measured water depth at foraging locations nine waterbird paired random sites in Grasslands northern San Joaquin Valley, California, USA from January April 1994 1995. Our resulting habitat-selection models indicate significant differences invertebrate densities or biomasses for three depths between four species. Additionally, observed interspecific locations—shorebirds used shallow habitats ( 20 cm). Waterfowl foraged over a wider range than indicating greater behavioral flexibility use. results selection by smaller bodied waterbirds, including dowitchers, dunlin, western sandpiper, least sandpiper is strongly influenced depth, which mediates availability invertebrates. site more mobile taxa able forage wide depths, shoveler american green-winged teal, biomass. broad relatively restricted shorebirds can be manipulated benefit multitude