Note
Includes bibliography.
Member of
Contributors
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Date Issued
2018
EDTF Date Created
2018
Description
Little Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, and Tricolored Herons that nest in the
Everglades have declined sharply over the past decade, due in part to food resource
limitations. Here, I examined the diet of small herons to determine how prey
characteristics affected the fitness of small herons in the highly modified Florida
Everglades. Analysis of these diet differences showed birds nesting in 2017, a
hydrologically dryer-than average year, and a more taxonomically varied diet were
associated with nest success and improved body condition of nestlings. Over half (51%)
of the fish biomass Little Blue Herons consumed were non-native species, compared to
14% and 19% non-native fish biomass consumed by Snowy Egrets and Tricolored
Herons, respectively. Surprisingly, <7% of fish biomass available in the Everglades were
comprised of non-native fish species, suggesting that small herons, and Little Blue
Herons in particular, may be using alternative foraging habitats, to supplement their
dietary needs.
Everglades have declined sharply over the past decade, due in part to food resource
limitations. Here, I examined the diet of small herons to determine how prey
characteristics affected the fitness of small herons in the highly modified Florida
Everglades. Analysis of these diet differences showed birds nesting in 2017, a
hydrologically dryer-than average year, and a more taxonomically varied diet were
associated with nest success and improved body condition of nestlings. Over half (51%)
of the fish biomass Little Blue Herons consumed were non-native species, compared to
14% and 19% non-native fish biomass consumed by Snowy Egrets and Tricolored
Herons, respectively. Surprisingly, <7% of fish biomass available in the Everglades were
comprised of non-native fish species, suggesting that small herons, and Little Blue
Herons in particular, may be using alternative foraging habitats, to supplement their
dietary needs.
Language
Type
Form
Extent
109 p.
Subject (Topical)
Identifier
FA00013072
Additional Information
Includes bibliography.
Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018.
FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Date Backup
2018
Date Created Backup
2018
Date Text
2018
Date Created (EDTF)
2018
Date Issued (EDTF)
2018
Extension
FAU
IID
FA00013072
Organizations
Attributed name: Florida Atlantic University
Attributed name: Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Attributed name: Center for Environmental Studies
Person Preferred Name
Jackson, Ashley Elizabeth
author
Graduate College
Physical Description
application/pdf
109 p.
Title Plain
Effect of diet differences and non-native prey consumption on the productivity of small herons
Use and Reproduction
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Origin Information
2018
2018
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Location
Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Place
Boca Raton, Fla.
Sub Location
Digital Library
Title
Effect of diet differences and non-native prey consumption on the productivity of small herons
Other Title Info
Effect of diet differences and non-native prey consumption on the productivity of small herons