Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Department
Biology
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Landscape ecology studies are needed to aid land managers and conservationists in developing management plans that will effectively improve avian population trends. This study uses riparian avian point count survey data and landcover data to examine the possible relationships between riparian avian communities and landcover within the Upper Green River watershed. How avian-landcover relationships change with increasing spatial scale is also examined. Results showed unexpected avian-landcover relationships for specific species. A landcover gradient from open and successional habitat to closed, forest habitat was most prevalent in the study area and explained most of the variation within the avian datasets. Riparian avian communities within the watershed responded more to landcover at a broader spatial scale than at a finer spatial scale.
Advisor(s) or Committee Chair
Albert J. Meier
Disciplines
Biology
Recommended Citation
Hamilton, Cabrina L., "The Influence of Spatial Scale on Landcover and Avian Community Relationships within the Upper Green River Watershed, KY" (2009). Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects. Paper 154.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses/154