Preservation of biological diversity requires that variation in the landscape, and its importance to population persistence be well understood. Studies using traditional methods have demonstrated that a relationship exits between bird species and vegetation composition and structure, but have not been able to evaluate how this variation affects population statistics. Recently developed geographic information systems (GIS) analytical techniques using Landsat satellite images will be combined with a long-term data set on populations of the Yellow- eyed Junco, to better understand the potentially large influence of landscape variation on the structure and persistence of populations. Fine-scaled landscape characteristics will be linked to estimates of survivorship and mortality, productivity, movement patterns and abundance patterns. The proposed research will provide a new paradigm for researchers studying bird population biology and conservation. It will also test the effectiveness of "patch occupancy" models in estimating demographic trends and predicting population persistence. If accurate "patch occupancy" models can be developed, it will be possible to collect such data on many more species in a greater array of habitats than can now be accomplished with labor intensive mark- recapture studies. Conservation biologists and government agencies need cost effective, accurate methods of evaluating habitat, estimating bird population trends and predicting population persistence. The proposed research will help develop these models and analytical techniques.
