150097-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
Once considered an abundant species in the eastern United States, local populations of red-shouldered hawks, Buteo lineatus, have declined due to habitat destruction. This destruction has created suitable habitat for red-tailed hawks, Buteo jamaicensis, and therefore increased competition between these

Once considered an abundant species in the eastern United States, local populations of red-shouldered hawks, Buteo lineatus, have declined due to habitat destruction. This destruction has created suitable habitat for red-tailed hawks, Buteo jamaicensis, and therefore increased competition between these two raptor species. Since suitable habitat is the main limiting factor for raptors, a computer model was created to simulate the effect of habitat loss in central Maryland and the impact of increased competition between the more aggressive red-tailed hawk. These simulations showed urban growth contributed to over a 30% increase in red-tailed hawk habitat as red-shouldered hawk habitat decreased 62.5-70.1% without competition and 71.8-76.3% with competition. However there was no significant difference seen between the rate of available habitat decline for current and predicted development growth.
Reuse Permissions


  • Download restricted.

    Details

    Title
    • Modeling habitat availability of red-shouldered and red-tailed hawks in central Maryland
    Contributors
    Date Created
    2011
    Resource Type
  • Text
  • Collections this item is in
    Note
    • thesis
      Partial requirement for: M.S., Arizona State University, 2011
    • bibliography
      Includes bibliographical references (p. 47-50)
    • Field of study: Applied biological sciences

    Citation and reuse

    Statement of Responsibility

    by Crystal Murillo

    Machine-readable links