The High-Elevation Population Of Mountain Plovers In Colorado

• Published in: The Condor (Los Angeles, Calif.) Calif.), 2003-11, Vol.105 (4), p.654-662
• Main Authors: Wunder, M B, Knopf, F L, Pague, CA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0010-5422
• DOI: 10.1043/0010-5422(2003)105(0654:THPOMP)2.0.CO;2

We surveyed a discrete population of Mountain Plovers (Charadrius montanus) in South Park, Park County, Colorado, to determine the size and relative contribution of this geographically isolated area to the global population of plovers. First, we mapped potential plover habitat within South Park based on landform and vegetation descriptors. Second, we identified occupied habitat using observations from a systematic inventory of potential habitat from 1995-1999 and from a study of breeding biology from 2000-2002. Third, we estimated breeding densities within a framework designed specifically for distance sampling. We mapped 82 750 ha of potential habitat. We recorded 2516 plover locations from which we estimated 29 176 ha of occupied habitat. We estimated densities for 14 960 ha of potential habitat. Average plover density from 2000-2002 was 7.9 plus or minus 0.9 (SE) breeding adults km-2, a high value compared with other sites. We calculated a population of 1187 plus or minus 140 (SE) plovers in the distance sampling area. Assuming density in our sampling area was similar for all documented occupied habitat, we estimated the population of plovers in South Park at 2310 adults. We conclude that South Park represents a contemporarily large concentration of breeding Mountain Plovers.Original Abstract: Estudiamos una poblacion discreta de Charadrius montanus en South Park, condado de Park, Colorado, para determinar el tamano y la contribucion relativa de esta poblacion geograficamente aislada a la poblacion global de C. montanus. Primero, elaboramos mapas de los habitats potenciales para C. montanus en South Park basandonos en descriptores de formas del paisaje y vegetacion. Segundo, identificamos los habitats ocupados por C. montanus utilizando observaciones de un inventario sistematico de habitats potenciales realizado entre 1995 y 1999 y a partir de un estudio sobre su biologia reproductiva realizado entre 2000 y 2002. Tercero, estimamos las densidades reproductivas utilizando una metodologia especificamente disenada para el metodo de muestreo con distancias. Elaboramos mapas de 82 750 ha de habitat potencial. Registramos 2516 localidades en que se encontraron C. montanus, a partir de las cuales estimamos 29 176 ha de habitat ocupado. Estimamos densidades para 14 960 ha de habitat potencial. La densidad promedio de C. montanus desde 2000 hasta 2002 fue 7.9 plus or minus 0.9 (ES) adultos reproductivos por km2, un valor alto en comparacion con otras localidades