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Steve Alsup

Productivity and Habitat Features of Swainson's Haws Nesting in Suburban and Agricultural Environments of Southwestern Idaho.

Summary:
              Increasing urbanization is a process that affects countless wildlife species across the globe. Many studies have looked at the effects of urbanization on raptor species. Past studies have shown that Swainson’s Hawks can benefit from some degree of development in agricultural environments, but the level of human development that Swainson’s Hawks can tolerate is unknown. More recently, studies have shown that Swainson’s Hawks are occupying areas with increased human development and activity (i.e. suburban areas). Many Swainson’s Hawk nesting territories occur within suburban and agricultural areas near Boise, Idaho, and a great deal of these territories are being engulfed by housing developments.

My project examines the relationship between nesting success and productivity of Swainson’s Hawks and the rapid urbanization occurring in and around Boise, Idaho. It also examines relationships in habitat and landscape features between suburban and agricultural areas.  By monitoring nesting success and productivity of Swainson’s Hawks, collecting data on habitat variables, and using GIS techniques to analyze land use, I hope to determine if rapid urbanization and/or changes in land use patterns near Boise pose a threat to nesting Swainson’s Hawks, and what factors important to Swainson’s Hawks are being threatened.