Snowy Plover Nest Site Selection, Spatial Patterning, and Temperatures in the Southern High Plains of Texas

摘要: Snowy plover (Charadrius nivosus) populations have declined throughout their range, in part because of habitat degradation and poor nest success, making information regarding regionally specific site selection spatial patterns important when considering conservation management guidelines. We determined characteristics (n = 180) examined (n = 215) snowy nests saline lakes the Southern High Plains (SHP) Texas. At 104 nests, we influence substrate type on temperatures heat mitigation. were more likely to be found near an object, pebble substrate, with fewer plants than random sites. use areas generally located human-made or natural islands, berms, peninsulas. Overall, placed had lower during day sand substrates. Nest placement may valuable nesting plovers, providing thermal advantages incubating adults depressing potentially high predation rates. Management guidelines for this region should emphasize importance addressing key elements including presence reducing vegetation encroachment. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.