Meeting Abstract

P3.108  Thursday, Jan. 6  The effect of roads on avian communities: Indirect effects on nestlings through parental feeding rates. JOHNSON, EE; CRINO, OL*; BREUNER, CW; University of Montana, Missoula erin2.johnson@umontana.edu

Birds living in close proximity to roads have high levels of stress hormones and low reproductive success. Consequently, the presence of roads has been associated with population declines and decreased biodiversity in avian communities. Most studies have focused solely on adult birds; however, recent evidence suggests that nestlings are also susceptible to road effects. Roads affect nestling physiology, increase nest predation (e.g. nestling mortality), and increase nestling growth. These changes may be directly due to road noise/pollution, or indirectly through altered parental behavior. We investigated the effect of parental feeding rates on both hormonal and morphological patterns detected in relation to roads. Road effects on nestlings may have long term repercussions on community success; understanding the pathways through which roads have these effects can clarify the issue and help direct management solutions.