Louisiana Waterthrush Density and Productivity in Hemlock-dominated Headwater Streams: The Influence of Stream Morphology

Katie B. Barnes; Nicholas Ernst; Michael Allen; Terry Master; Rabecca Lausch

doi:10.1656/045.025.0405

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1 November 2018 Louisiana Waterthrush Density and Productivity in Hemlock-dominated Headwater Streams: The Influence of Stream Morphology

Katie B. Barnes, Nicholas Ernst, Michael Allen, Terry Master , Rabecca Lausch

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Northeastern Naturalist, 25(4):587-598 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1656/045.025.0405

Abstract

We assessed the density and productivity of Parkesia motacilla (Louisiana Waterthrush) at 4 Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock)-dominated headwater streams representing 2 distinct stream morphologies: ravines, defined by steep banks and fast-flowing water; and benches, characterized by braided streams meandering across a flat floodplain. The Louisiana Waterthrush is an established bioindicator of headwater-stream ecological integrity used to investigate overall habitat quality. We conducted the study from 2010 to 2013 in the Appalachian Highlands of northeastern Pennsylvania. Pair density and number of fledglings produced per km of study stream were exceptionally high at the 2 bench sites compared with the literature, and were significantly higher than in ravine sites, in part due to significantly higher nest survival on benches (69%) compared to ravines (33%). Double brooding was also significantly higher on benches. Differences in density, productivity, and nest survivorship between ravines and benches in our limited study suggest that benches may be of higher quality for this species. Our results have conservation and management implications regarding threatened Eastern Hemlock ecosystems, and the topic warrants further investigation.

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Katie B. Barnes, Nicholas Ernst, Michael Allen, Terry Master , and Rabecca Lausch "Louisiana Waterthrush Density and Productivity in Hemlock-dominated Headwater Streams: The Influence of Stream Morphology," Northeastern Naturalist 25(4), 587-598, (1 November 2018). https://doi.org/10.1656/045.025.0405

Published: 1 November 2018

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