Department of Environmental Conservation

(Ph.D., W&FCON)

Project:

Bird Ecology and Conservation in Tropical Agricultural Landscapes

Contact:

rchandlerrchandler(at)eco.umass.edu
Hatch Building top floor
(413) 545-1237

Position:

Research Assistant

Web links:

http://www.mesoamerican.org
http://cafesolar.com
http://www.gwwa.org
http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/unmarked/

Support:

US. Fish and Wildlife Service
USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station
USDA Forest Service International Programs
Cooperativa Montes de Oro
Mesoamerican Development Institute

Faculty Advisor:

Dr. David I. King

Project abstract:
 

 The high biological diversity found in tropical ecosystems is being threatened by rapid conversion to agriculture. The amount of area under cultivation far exceeds the amount protected in reserves and thus conservationists must find ways of protecting diversity and ecosystem processes in these landscapes. Our research focuses on quantifying patterns of resident and migrant bird abundance, diversity, and fitness in relation to farming practices in a landscape dominated by pasture, coffee farms, and forest fragments adjacent to over 30,000 hectares of protected forest in the Tilarán mountain range of Costa Rica. Specifically, we are testing the conservation value of a market-based coffee cultivation system in which farmers would receive higher prices for coffee produced on farms with protected forest. In addition, we are studying the non-breeding ecology of the IUCN-listed Golden-winged Warbler in order to determine if their populations are viable in agricultural landscapes. The Golden-winged Warbler component of our study involves extensive point count surveys and radio-tracking individuals across gradients in land use, elevation, and precipitation.

Publications:

Schlossberg, S., D. I. King, R. B. Chandler, and B. A. Mazzei. In Press. Regional Synthesis of Habitat Relationships in Shrubland Birds. Journal of Wildlife Management.

 Chavez-Arce, V. J. R. Rauldales, R. Trubey, D. I. King, R. B. Chandler, and C. Chandler. 2009. Measuring and managing the environmental costs of coffee production in Latin America. Conservation and Society 7:141-144.

Wolfe, J. D., R. B. Chandler, and D. I. King. 2009. Molt patterns, age, and sex criteria for selected highland Costa Rican resident landbirds. Ornithologia Neotropical 20:451–459.

Chandler, R. B., D. I. King, and C. C. Chandler. 2009. Effects of management regime on the abundance and nest survival of shrubland birds in wildlife openings in northern New England, USA. Forest Ecology and Management 258:1669-1676.

Chandler, R. B., King, D. I., and S. DeStefano. 2009. Scrub-shrub bird habitat associations at multiple spatial scales in beaver meadows in Massachusetts. Auk.126:186-197.

King, D. I., R. B. Chandler, J. M. Collins, W. R. Peterson, and T. E. Lautzenheiser. 2009. Effects of width, edge and habitat on the abundance and nesting success of scrub-shrub birds in powerline corridors. Biological Conservation 142:2672-2680.

King, D. I., R. B. Chandler, S. Schlossberg, and C C. Chandler. 2008. Habitat use and nest success of scrub-shrub birds in wildlife and silvicultural openings in western Massachusetts, U.S.A. Forest Ecology and Management 257:421-426.

Chandler, R. B., Strong, A. M., C. C. Kaufman. 2004. Elevated lead levels in urban House Sparrows: A threat to Sharp-shinned Hawks and Merlins? Journal of Raptor Research 38:62-68.