Demographic comparison of Golden-Winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) populations in northern and southern extremes of their breeding range

Abstract

Abstract Conservation strategies for declining species often are based on limited knowledge about how fecundity and survival may change across a species' range, and what factors may be limiting for a given population. Incomplete understanding of how a species' demography varies across a range of conditions may lead to inappropriate management decisions. Our objective was to compare demographic data from northern and southern extremes of the breeding range of Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera). Specifically, we compared minimum estimates of annual adult survival, daily nest survival, fecundity, and population growth (lambda) for Tennessee and Ontario breeding populations. Tennessee nest survival decreased throughout the nesting season and as daily minimum temperature increased, but the constant survival model was equally supported (model averaged daily survival rate, DSR = 0.972 [0.01 SE]). Ontario nest survival also decreased throughout the nesting season, but not as a function of temperatur...