Pre-Migratory Ecology and Physiology of Shorebirds Staging on Alaska's North Slope

摘要

Preliminary work conducted in the 1970s in Barrow, Alaska, indicated that arctic littoral habitats were of critical importance for most arctic-breeding shorebirds during the staging period (prior to southbound migration to wintering areas). However, relatively little recent, quantitative information exists on pre-migratory shorebird use of coastal areas on Alaskas North Slope or what factors may influence site use. This information is critical given increased levels of human activity and development near North Slope coastline. This project was initiated in 2004 to gain a better understanding of the overall ecology of postbreeding shorebirds during the staging period, and to inform future assessments of how future industrial and human activity across the North Slope may affect shorebird populations.