Abstract Climate change and biodiversity loss are two global challenges that can be addressed simultaneously through reforestation of previously cleared land. However, carbon markets encourage reforestations focus on maximizing storage, potentially at the expense conservation. To identify opportunities to optimize design management meet both goals, we examined forest stand features associated with stocks in biomass soil, as well bird abundance diversity, remnant restored riparian stands...

Few studies have quantitatively projected changes in demography response to climate change, yet doing so can provide important insights into the processes that may lead population declines and species distributions. Using a long-term mark-recapture data set, we examined influence of multiple direct indirect effects weather on adult juvenile survival for Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) California. We found evidence positive, effect winter temperature survival, prior rainy season...

Abstract Dams and reservoirs are often needed to provide environmental water maintain suitable temperatures for downstream ecosystems. Here, we evaluate if allocated the environment, with storage manage it, might allow more reliably meet ecosystem objectives than a proportion of natural flow. We use priority-based balance operations model reservoir temperature 1) pass-through portion inflow versus 2) allocating capacity flow stream objectives. compare trade-offs other senior junior priority...

Juvenile survival is often found to be more sensitive than adult variation in environmental conditions, and juvenile can have significant impacts on population growth rates viability. Therefore, understanding the population‐level effects of changes requires survival. We hypothesized that parental care will buffer dependent juveniles from while independent respond strongly and, turn, drive overall annual tested this parental‐care hypothesis using a 30‐year mark–recapture data set model Song...

An extensive network of managed wetlands and flooded agriculture provides habitat for migrating wintering shorebirds in California’s Central Valley. Yet with over 90% historical the region lost, Valley shorebird populations are likely diminished limited by available habitat. To identify timing magnitude any limitations during non-breeding season, we developed a bioenergetics model that examined whether currently foraging is sufficient to meet daily energy requirements community, at either...

Birds associated with wetlands have declined historically across North America from extensive habitat loss and degradation. Among the regions most affected is California’s Central Valley, where over 90% of wetland base has been lost. Still, this region remains continental importance to waterbirds. On-the-ground conservation efforts for all bird groups are focus Valley Joint Venture, guided by a periodically updated implementation plan. To track progress toward goal attainment, that plan sets...

Winter habitat quality plays a key role in avian population regulation, and conservation of winter is priority for waterfowl, shorebirds, Neotropical migrant landbirds. Yet, there has been little discussion the importance conserving temperate wintering landbirds, including billions Neotemperate migratory landbirds that United States. The value impact initiatives U.S. could be maximized by accommodating requirements bird communities throughout full annual cycle, particularly southern western...

Abstract A new term, Multiple‐Benefit Conservation, has emerged in the conservation community, but not been defined. We define Conservation as efforts designed to simultaneously benefit local communities of people, enhance ecological function, and improve habitat quality for fish wildlife . Its key features are setting societal goals at outset defining success achieving these simultaneously. This is contrast aimed one goal that may also produce co‐benefits; it inclusive ecosystem services...

Riparian ecosystems provide important ecosystem services and recreational opportunities for people, habitat wildlife. In California’s Central Valley, government agencies private organizations are working together to protect restore riparian ecosystems, the Valley Joint Venture provides leadership in formulation of goals objectives avian conservation ecosystems. We defined a long-term goal as establishment that sufficient support genetically robust, self-sustaining, resilient bird...

Restoration of river processes and riparian vegetation is a high priority, particularly in the western United States, where it provides critical habitat for fish wildlife along with many other environmental economic benefits, yet few studies have quantified long-term responses wildlife. We evaluated breeding bird community to restoration management lower Putah Creek watershed Central Valley California following establishment Accord 2000, an historic agreement designed improve ecosystem...

With a rapidly changing climate, there is an increasing need to predict how species will respond changes in the physical environment. One approach use historic data estimate past influence of environmental variation on important demographic parameters and then these relationships project abundance population or under future climate scenarios. However, as novel conditions emerge, responses may also appear. In some systems, beyond range those observed during course most long-term ecological...

Long-term monitoring is essential to understand the effect of environmental change on bird populations. Ornithological field stations that have recorded detailed demographic data populations over decades are well positioned make important contributions emerging research questions. On basis our experience at PRBO Conservation Science's Palomarin Field Station and a review literature, we assess ability use their long-term address current future issues in conservation management. We identify...

Kristen E. Dybala (corresponding author), Point Blue Conservation Science, 3820 Cypress Drive #11, Petaluma, CA, 94954, kdybala{at}pointblue.org.

The Central Valley of California provides important breeding habitat to numerous species wetland-dependent birds, despite the loss over 90% naturally occurring wetlands. A majority shorebirds in this region rely on shallow-flooded adjacent sparsely vegetated uplands as provided by rice (Oryza sativa), managed wetlands, and other habitats. We estimated current extent potential shorebird permanent semi-permanent wetlands each four major planning regions Valley, average densities population...

Quantitative population objectives are necessary to successfully achieve conservation goals of secure or robust wildlife populations. However, existing methods for setting quantitative commonly require extensive species-specific viability data, which often unavailable based on estimates historical sizes, may no longer represent feasible objectives. Conservation practitioners an alternative, science-based method long-term We reviewed biology literature develop a general conceptual framework...

Abstract Many bird populations have experienced population declines across North America over the past several decades. The establishment of protected areas has been used as a conservation action to maintain or help in recovery these populations; however, effectiveness safeguarding within their borders from negative impacts surrounding unprotected rarely evaluated. Our study aimed evaluate San Francisco Bay Area California for landbirds. We conducted point count surveys along riparian...

In California’s Central Valley, grassland and oak savannah ecosystems provide multiple economic social benefits, ecosystem services, vital bird habitat. There is a growing interest in protecting, restoring, managing these ecosystems, the Valley Joint Venture (CVJV) provides leadership formulation of conservation goals objectives. We defined long-term goal so that they are capable supporting genetically robust, self-sustaining, resilient wildlife populations. To measure progress toward this...

Abstract We compared the vulnerability of a Nearctic-Neotropical migrant (Swainson’s Thrush, Catharus ustulatus ) for three geographically-defined breeding populations in California by linking and wintering regions, estimating migration distances, quantifying relative forest loss. Using data from light-level geolocator GPS tags, we found that birds relatively robust coastal population San Francisco Bay area wintered predominantly western Mexico (n = 18), whereas far rarer two inland occur...

Abstract Programs that incentivize private landowners to create habitats offset losses due conversion and climate change are increasingly being used bolster sensitive wildlife populations. In the Central Valley of California, shorebird habitat incentive programs pay additional during non‐breeding season by flooding their fields. However, it remains unclear how successful these have been in supporting baseline population needs or meeting established goals, particularly face changing...

Abstract Water scarcity and related climate volatility are growing constraints on agricultural production landscapes around the world. While adaptation options available often dictated by system context, in many places broad-scale transformations occurring response to water-related pressures. We sought contributions from across regions, types, scientific disciplines examine land use transitions driven water scarcity, including tradeoffs associated with alternative uses; impacts food...