We
(Drs. Dave Buehler
(U. of Tennessee),
Kay
Franzreb (USFS), Dan Kim) and my graduate student,
Kirk Stodola, have been examining the impact of climate variation on the
reproductive of three neotropical migratory species in the southern
Appalachians. Over the past 3 seasons we have determined the reproductive
success of the Wood Thrush, Black-throated Blue Warbler, and Ovenbird along an
elevation gradient at
Coweeta
Hydrological Lab (located within the
Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina). By using an elevation
gradient, we assure ourselves within year climate variation. To date, our
results suggest that climate indirectly influences reproductive success of
songbirds in this area by impacting lepidoptera abu
ndances, which comprise the
majority of their diet. Results vary by species as the preferred habitat of each
species correlates differently with elevation at this site (e.g. BTBW is
positively correlated, WOTH negatively, OVEN prefers mid-elevation)