Surveys of Forest Birds on Puerto Rico, 2015.

BACKGROUND: The island of Puerto Rico supports a diverse assemblage of breeding birds, including 16 endemic species (Raffaele et al. 1998), and provides critical wintering habitat for many North American migratory birds (Wunderle and Waide 1994). Despite being a hotspot of avian biodiversity, spatially extensive data on the distribution and abundance of birds on the island are scarce. Breeding-bird assemblages were sampled by the North American Breeding Bird Survey from 1997-2007 (Sauer et al. 2013), but comparable primary data are not available for bird assemblages present during the boreal winter. NEW INFORMATION: We provide data from one of the few spatially extensive surveys of forest birds on Puerto Rico. We sampled 211 locations in forests across the island during January-March 2015 using repeated point-count surveys. These data are suitable for use in estimating abundance, occupancy, and distribution of forest birds on Puerto Rico during the winter.

Introduction

Puerto Rico, the easternmost island of the Greater Antilles, is a hotspot of biodiversity (Myers et al. 2000). It supports an especially rich avifauna; 354 bird species are known from the island (Mendez-Gallardo and Salgeuro-Faria 2008) including 16 endemic species (Raffaele et al. 1998) and, during the boreal winter (hereafter, winter), many migratory species that arrive from North America (Wunderle and Waide 1994, Wunderle and Waide 1993). Although general patterns of distribution are well-described for many bird species inhabiting the island, few spatially extensive data sets exist that are suitable for estimating important population characteristics such as abundance or occupancy rate. Breeding-bird assemblages on Puerto Rico were sampled by the North American Breeding Bird Survey from 1997–2007 (Sauer et al. 2013), yet comparable data from the non-breeding season do not exist. Low-granularity summaries of bird distribution and relative abundance across the island during winter exist (Wunderle and Waide 1993), as do numerous site-specific studies of bird assemblages during winter (e.g., Faaborg et al. 2007), but primary data from replicated, spatially extensive studies are lacking.

Here, we provide data from repeated point-count surveys conducted at 211 locations in forests across the island during January–March 2015. At each point, an observer counducted 4 sequential surveys, each lasting 2.5 minutes, during which all birds heard or seen were recorded. In addition, the observer estimated the distance to each individual bird that was detected. The structure of these data makes them amenable to a variety of analytical approaches, including occupancy models, N-mixture models, and distance sampling (MacKenzie et al. 2002, Royle 2004, Buckland et al. 2005). An additional advantage from the standpoint of statistical inference is that, within the confines of the sampling frame, which was based on the potential distribution of Bicknell's Thrush () (McFarland et al. 2013), the points were located using a spatially balanced, randomized design. As such, these data may prove useful for estimating spatial variation in species-specific parameters, such as abundance, as well as in community metrics, such as species richness.

General description

Purpose

The overall goal of this research was to describe the distribution and abundance of forest birds on Puerto Rico during the winter by conducting repeated point-count surveys of birds at forested locations across the island. The focal species for these surveys was Bicknell's Thrush () and thus surveys were concentrated in areas considered potentially suitable for this species. As such most, but not all, survey locations were in submontane evergreen forest or lower montane elfin, sierra palm, transitional, and tall cloud forest (Kennaway and Helmer 2007).

Project description

Title

Surveys of Forest Birds on Puerto Rico, 2015

Personnel

Christopher C. Rimmer, John D. Lloyd, and Jose Salguero Faria

Study area description

The study area consisted of 211 locations on Puerto Rico where we conducted point-count surveys for birds during January–March 2015. Survey points were located by first drawing a generalized random tessellation stratified (GRTS) sample of 1-km2 cells that were identified from the Bicknell’s Thrush winter-habitat model (McFarland et al. 2013). We then visited each cell and identified 3-5 locations suitable for point-count surveys. Suitability was based on extent of forest cover – at least 50% of the area within 50 m of the point was forested – and accessibility; all points were along public roads or trails. To maintain independence of counts conducted at different points, we placed each point at least 250 m from its nearest neighbor. We were able to establish survey points and conduct surveys in 43 different cells. Most points were in submontane evergreen forest or lower montane elfin, sierra palm, transitional, and tall cloud forest (Kennaway and Helmer 2007). The elevation of survey points across all cells ranged from 0–1,297 meters above sea level (MASL), with a median of 705 MASL.

Funding

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant no. 48324 and private donations from friends of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies

Sampling methods

Study extent

Surveys were conducted in forested areas at a variety of elevations on Puerto Rico.

Sampling description

We conducted standardized point-count surveys for birds at 211 locations on Puerto Rico during January – March 2015. Survey points were located by first drawing a GRTS sample of 60 1-km2 cells that were identified from a predictive model of Bicknell’s Thrush winter habitat (McFarland et al. 2013). The sample included an unequal mix of cells with a high (>0.5; n = 30), medium (0.25–0.50; n = 20), and low (<0.25; n = 10) predicted probability of occurrence of Bicknell’s Thrush. Once we had drawn a sample of cells to survey, we visited each cell and identified 3-5 locations suitable for point-count surveys. Suitability was based on the extent of forest cover – at least 50% of the area in a 50-m radius around each point was forested – and accessibility; all points were along public roads or trails. To maintain independence of counts conducted at different points, we placed each point at least 250 m from its nearest neighbor. Survey points were georeferenced via GPS. Of the 60 selected cells, we were able to visit and survey 43 during 2015 Fig. 1. Most (n = 29) of the cells that we sampled had a high predicted probability of occurrence of Bicknell’s Thrush; relatively fewer of the sampled cells had a medium (n = 5) or low (n = 9) predicted probability of occurrence. Survey points within the cells covered a wide range of elevations: from 0–1,297 meters above sea level (MASL), with a median of 705 MASL. Exact geographic coordinates of each survey point are contained in the data package available at KNB (see link below in section 'Data resources').

Figure 1.

Location of 1-km2 cells on Puerto Rico surveyed for forest birds during 2015. Geographic distribution of sampling locations was based on the predicted probability of occurence of Bicknell's Thrush: 29 cells had a high predicted probability of occurrence of Bicknell’s Thrush (black dots); 5 had a medium (black triangles) and 9 had a low (black squares) predicted probability of occurrence (note that GPS coordinates were not recorded for 1 cell in each category, so only the 40 cells with coordinates are shown).

At each survey point, an observer conducted 4, 2.5-minute counts during which all birds heard or seen were recorded (i.e., a repeated-counts design). Counts were conducted in sequence, one after the other. A 1-minute playback of Bicknell's Thrush vocalizations preceded the second and fourth counts. Individuals of all species detected during each count were recorded into four distance bands: 0–10 m from the observer, 10–25 m, 25–50 m, and >50 m from the observer. All surveys were conducted between sunrise and 10:00 Atlantic Standard Time. Surveys were not conducted during rain or high winds.

Step description

Step 1. Identification of sampling locations.

We downloaded the raster output of the winter habitat model of Bicknell's Thrush (McFarland et al. 2013) from Data Basin (http://databasin.org). Each 1-km2 cell in the raster included an associated predicted probability of occurrence of suitable habitat. We selected 60 cells in which to conduct point-count surveys using a GRTS sampling design. The sample included 30 cells with a high (>0.50) probability of containing suitable habitat, 20 with a medium (0.25–0.50) probability, and 10 with a low (<0.25) probability.

Step 2. Establishing sampling points.

We visited 43 of the selected cells during 2015 (due to the paucity of detections of the focal species, Bicknell's Thrush, we did not return as planned in 2016 to sample the remaining cells). In each cell, we identified 3–5 locations suitable for conducting point-count surveys. Point locations within each cell were chosen systematically based on ease of access - all points were located in forests adjacent to public roads or trails - and so as to cover as much of the cell as possible. Each point was also placed so that forest cover within a 50-m radius was at least 50%. We located survey points >250 m from one another so as to maintain the independence of counts at each point. The location of each point was established in the field using a handheld GPS unit. Coordinates were not properly recorded for 28 points and so the exact the location of the survey point is unknown.

Step 3. Conduct bird surveys.

At each survey point, an observer conducted 4, 2.5-minute counts during which all birds heard or seen were recorded (i.e., a repeated-counts design). Counts were conducted in sequence, one after the other. A 1-minute playback of Bicknell's Thrush vocalizations preceded the second and fourth counts. Individuals of all species detected during each count were recorded into four distance bands: 0–10 m from the observer, 10–25 m, 25–50 m, and >50 m from the observer.

Geographic coverage

Description

Puerto Rico

Coordinates

17.375 and 19.125 Latitude; -67.875 and -65.0 Longitude.

Temporal coverage

Notes

2015-01-22 through 2015-03-30

Usage rights

Use license

Creative Commons Public Domain Waiver (CC-Zero)

IP rights notes

This dataset is released to the public and may be freely downloaded. Please keep the designated Contact person informed of any plans to use the dataset. Consultation or collaboration with the original investigators is strongly encouraged. Publications and data products that make use of the dataset must include proper acknowledgment.

Data resources

Data package title

Surveys of Forest Birds on Puerto Rico, 2015

Resource link

https://knb.ecoinformatics.org/#view/doi: 10.5063/F1MG7MKK

Alternative identifiers

doi: 10.5063/F1MG7MKK

Number of data sets

2

Data set 1.

Data set name

associatedOccurrences.csv

Data format

Darwin Core

Number of columns

12

Download URL

https://knb.ecoinformatics.org/knb/d1/mn/v2/object/jlloyd.13.14

Description

A data table containing information on species occurrences generated during sampling events conducted January - March 2015 on Puerto Rico. This data table is linked to the resource samplingEvents.csv by the eventID.

Data set 2.

samplingEvents.csv

Darwin Core

14

https://knb.ecoinformatics.org/knb/d1/mn/v2/object/jlloyd.15.1

A data table containing information on sampling events conducted January - March 2015 on Puerto Rico. This data table is linked to the resource associatedOccurences.csv by the eventID.

Rank	Scientific Name
species	Accipiter striatus
species	Anthracothorax dominicus
species	Anthracothorax viridis
species	Ardea alba
species	Brotogeris versicolurus
species	Bubulcus ibis
species	Buteo jamaicensis
species	Butorides virescens
species	Cathartes aura
species	Catharus bicknelli
species	Chlorostilbon maugaeus
species	Coccyzus minor
species	Coccyzus vieilloti
species	Coereba flaveola
species	Columba livia
species	Columbina passerina
species	Contopus latirostris
species	Crotophaga ani
species	Cypseloides niger
species	Elaenia martinica
species	Estrilda melpoda
species	Eulampis holosericeus
species	Euphonia musica
species	Eupsittula canicularis
species	Falco sparverius
species	Geotrygon chrysia
species	Geotrygon montana
species	Icterus icterus
species	Icterus portoricensis
species	Loxigilla portoricensis
species	Margarops fuscatus
species	Megascops nudipes
species	Melanerpes portoricensis
species	Mimus polyglottos
species	Mniotilta varia
species	Molothrus bonariensis
species	Myiarchus antillarum
species	Nesospingus speculiferus
species	Orthorhyncus cristatus
species	Parkesia motacilla
species	Passer domesticus
species	Patagioenas leucocephala
species	Patagioenas squamosa
species	Petrochelidon fulva
species	Progne dominicensis
species	Quiscalus niger
species	Seiurus aurocapilla
species	Setophaga adelaidae
species	Setophaga americana
species	Setophaga angelae
species	Setophaga caerulescens
species	Setophaga citrina
species	Setophaga discolor
species	Setophaga magnolia
species	Setophaga ruticilla
species	Setophaga tigrina
species	Setophaga virens
species	Spermestes cucullata
species	Spindalis portoricensis
species	Thalasseus maximus
species	Tiaris bicolor
species	Tiaris olivaceus
species	Todus mexicanus
species	Turdus plumbeus
species	Tyrannus caudifasciatus
species	Tyrannus dominicensis
species	Vireo altiloquus
species	Vireo latimeri
species	Zenaida asiatica
species	Zenaida aurita

Data set 1.

Column label	Column description
parentEventID	Alphanumeric identifer that identifies survey points within a locality. Of the format: Site identifier-point identifier.
eventID	Alphanumeric identifier for each survey occasion. Of the format: Site identifier-point identifier.survey identifier.
occurrenceID	Alphanumeric identifer for the occurences during a survey event, of the format: Site identifier-point identifier.survey identifier-occurrence identifier. Occurrences consist of detections of individual birds or groups of birds.
individualCount	The number of individuals represented present at the time of the occurrence.
organismQuantity	A number value for the quantity of organisms. Same as individualCount.
organismQuantityType	The type of quantification system used for the quantity of organisms.
scientificName	The full scientific name of the organism associated with the occurrence.
kingdom	The full scientific name of the Kingdom of the organism associated with the occurrence.
phylum	The full scientific name of the phylum or division of the organism associated with the occurrence.
class	The full scientific name of the class of the organism associated with the occurrence.
taxonRank	The taxonomic rank of the most specific name in the scientificName.
dynamicProperties	Additional characteristics about the record, indicating the distance in meters between the observer and the individual at the time of detection.

Data set 2.

Column label	Column description
parentEventID	Alphanumeric identifer that identifies survey points within a locality. Of the format: Site identifier-point identifier.
eventID	Alphanumeric identifier for each survey occasion. Of the format: Site identifier-point identifier.survey identifier.
samplingProtocol	The name of, reference to, or description of the method or protocol used during an Event.
sampleSizeValue	A numeric value for a measurement of the size (time duration, length, area, or volume) of a sample in a sampling event.
sampleSizeUnit	The unit of measurement of the size (time duration, length, area, or volume) of a sample in a sampling event.
eventDate	The date-time or interval during which an Event occurred.
eventTime	The time or interval during which an Event occurred, with a format of hh:mm-UTC offset[hh:mm]
country	The name of the country or major administrative unit in which the Location occurs.
countryCode	The standard code for the country in which the Location occurs. Codes here are ISO 3166-1-alpha-2 country codes.
locality	The specific description of the place where the sampling event occurred.
decimalLatitude	The geographic latitude (in decimal degrees, using the spatial reference system given in geodeticDatum) of the geographic center of a Location. Positive values are north of the Equator, negative values are south of it. Legal values lie between -90 and 90, inclusive.
decimalLongitude	The geographic longitude (in decimal degrees, using the spatial reference system given in geodeticDatum) of the geographic center of a Location. Positive values are east of the Greenwich Meridian, negative values are west of it. Legal values lie between -180 and 180, inclusive.
geodeticDatum	The ellipsoid, geodetic datum, or spatial reference system (SRS) upon which the geographic coordinates given in decimalLatitude and decimalLongitude as based.
dynamicProperties	Additional characteristics about the record, indicating whether or not a recorded playback of Bicknell's Thrush vocalizations was broadcast prior to the sampling event