Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA
Date of Award
5-1997
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Dr. Timothy Brush
Second Advisor
Dr. Robert I. Lonard
Third Advisor
Dr. Frank W. Judd
Abstract
The Piping Plover, Charadrius melodus, is endangered in its breeding sites and threatened in its wintering sites. This migratory shorebird spends 3 to 4 months on northern U.S. and southern Canadian breeding sites and the remainder of the year in Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and southern U.S. wintering sites. Up to 2.4% of the estimated Piping Plover population remains for the 9 to 10 month non-breeding season on South Padre Island (S.P.I.). During the non-breeding season, I conducted censuses at 15 sites in the southern portion of South Padre Island to determine Piping Plover habitat preferences. Piping Plovers prefer bay side flats as opposed to beach areas on South Padre Island, and habitat use is determined by conditions such as exposure and wetness of bay side habitats. Piping Plovers tend to forage in habitats close to the Laguna Madre, such as mud flats and roost farther away on the sand flats.
Granting Institution
University of Texas-Pan American
Comments
Copyright 1997 Humberto Garza Jr. All Rights Reserved.
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