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Using stable isotopes to identify the breeding origins of migratory bird populations: Stable isotopes are useful for understanding the connectivity between breeding grounds, migration corridors and wintering regions of migratory birds. Stable isotopes provide a means by which the organic compounds that an animal ingests and assimilates into its tissues can be used in a forensic way to understand aspects of its trophic ecology, habitat use, and region of origin. Ongoing studies use hydrogen isotope ratios to understand the links among breeding, migration and wintering ranges of migrant birds. Applications of this technique include the potential to located the provenance of both pathogens and contaminants. Some publications on this topic:
Kelly, J.F., S. Bearhop, G.J. Bowen, K. Hobson, R. Norris, L.Wassenaar, J. West, M. Wunder. 2008.
Future Directions and challenges for using stable isotope ratios in advancing terrestrial animal
migration research. Pages 129-139 in K. Hobson and L. Wassenaar, eds. Tracking animal migration
with stable isotopes. Academic Press.
Kelly, J.F., M. Johnson, S. Langridge, and M. Whitfield. 2008. Efficacy of stable isotope ratios in assigning
endangered migrants to breeding and wintering sites. Ecological Applications 18:568-576 (PDF)
Kelly, J.F. 2006. Stable Isotope Evidence Links Breeding geography and migration timing in Wood Warblers
(Parulidae). Auk 123:431-437 (PDF)
Kelly,J.F., K.C. Ruegg and T.B. Smith. 2005 . Combining Isotopic and genetic markers to identify breeding origins
of migrant birds. Ecological Applications 15:1487-1494 (PDF)
Kelly, J.F. and R.L. Hutto 2005. An East-West comparison of migration in North American Wood
wood warblers. Condor 107:197-211 (PDF).
Skagen, S.K., J.F. Kelly, C. Van Riper III, R. L. Hutto, D. M. Finch, D. Krueper, C. Melcher. 2005.
Geography of spring landbird migration through riparian habitats in Southwestern North
America. Condor 107:212-227 (PDF)
Kelly, J.F. V. Atudorei, Z.D. Sharp, and D.M. Finch. 2002. Insights into Wilson's Warbler
migration from analyses of stable hydrogen isotope ratios. Oecologia 130:216-221 (PDF)
Kelly, J.F. 2000. Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in the study of avian and mammalian
trophic ecology. Canadian Journal of Zoology 78:1-27 (PDF).
Kelly, J. F. and D. M. Finch. 1998. Using stable isotopes to track migrant songbirds.
Trends in Ecology and Evolution 13:48-49 (PDF).
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Vegetation structure and biodiversity of Rio Grande riparian zones: There are complex relationships among wildfire, native and exotic plant succession, and animal biodiversity in riparian zones along the Rio Grande in central New Mexico. Like most riparian vegetation of the desert southwest, the Rio Grande Bosque supports a high diversity of animal life. As a result of human development of riparian zones in the southwest, the ecological functioning of these systems has changed dramatically over the past century. Historically, frequent floods were the primary regenerative disturbance in these systems. Regulation of river flows to prevent these floods has facilitated conversion from native to exotic dominated vegetation communities; primarily saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia). Wildfire in remnant senescent stands of native vegetation further accelerates conversion to exotic dominated communities. An ongoing study examines the effects of wildfire on the flora and fauna of the Rio Grande riparian zone. It is a collaborative effort among the Oklahoma Biological Survey, Rocky Mountain Research Station, The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, and the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Some publications on this topic:
Smith D.M., Kelly J.F., Finch D.M. 2007. Avian nest box selection and nest success in burned and unburned
southwestern riparian forest. J. of Wildlife Management 71:411-421 (PDF)
Smith D.M., Kelly J.F., Finch D.M. 2006. Cicada emergence in Southwestern riparian forest: Influences
of wildfire and vegetation composition. Ecological Applications 16:1608-1618 (PDF)
Smith D.M., Kelly J.F., Finch D.M. 2006. Influences of disturbance and vegetation on abundance of
native and exotic detritivores in a southwestern riparian forest. Environmental Entomology 35:1525-1531
Kelly, J.F. L. DeLay, and D.M. Finch. 2002. Density-dependent mass gain by Wilson's Warblers
during stopover. Auk 119:210-213 (PDF).
Kelly, J.F. and D.M. Finch. 2000. Effects of sampling design on age ratios of migrants captured
at stopover sites. Condor 102:699-702 PDF).
Kelly, J. F., D. M. Finch, and W. Yong. 2000. Vegetative associations of wood warblers migrating
along the Middle Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico. Southwestern Naturalist 45: 159-168.
Kelly, J. F., R. Smith, D. M. Finch, F.R. Moore, W. Yong. 1999. Effects of summer biogeography
on the stopover abundance of Wood Warblers. Condor 101:76-85 (PDF).
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| Grassland management and biodiversity: Over 70% of the land in the western U.S. is used for livestock grazing; including 70% of Oklahoma. Over the past decade, debate about the impact of fire managment and grazing practices on publicly owned rangelands in the west has become increasingly contentious. The impact of these management practices is affected by the climate and evolutionary history of a particular grassland, which creates complex relationships among fire, grazing, vegetation structure and grassland bird distribution in western grasslands. In particular I am interested in transition zones between grassland and shrubland (ecotones) and how they effect the distribution and abundance of consumers on the landscape. Some publications on this topic: Kelly, J.F., R.A. Meyer, and D.L. Hawksworth. 2006. Effects of recent grazing on winter bird
diversity in a semiarid grassland. Southwestern Naturalist
Schooley, R.L., B. T. Bestelmeyer, and J.F. Kelly. 2000. Influence of small-scale disturbances by
kangaroo-rats on Chihuahuan Desert ant communities. Oecologia 125:142-149 (PDF).
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