Unique Presentation Identifier:
43
Program Type
Undergraduate
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Chris Kellner
Document Type
Poster
Location
Online
Start Date
9-4-2026 1:00 PM
End Date
9-4-2026 3:00 PM
Abstract
Cerulean Warblers (Setophaga cerulea) have declined across their breeding range, including the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, where historically occupied sites have experienced reduced populations or abandonment. Understanding population trends and habitat structure is important for informing forest management and conservation. This study compares historic and current Cerulean Warbler counts at selected upland sites within the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest and evaluates whether differences in canopy composition between abandoned historic sites and foraging sites currently used by Cerulean Warblers can explain site abandonment. Population trajectories varied among sites. Cherry Bend remained consistently occupied from 1998-2004 with 16-24 individuals and supported 17 individuals in 2025. South Cherry Bend and Sulphur Road remained occupied but showed lower counts, with Sulphur Road declining from 26 individuals in 1998 to 3 in 2025. In contrast, Solly’s Knob, East Solly’s Knob, and Payne Ridge supported individuals historically but were unoccupied in 2025. Canopy composition between used and historic sites revealed differences in tree use. Shagbark hickory accounted for 26.8% of trees in foraging areas but composed only 4.17% of the abandoned sites. Both white oak and black gum were underutilized for foraging relative to their availability: white oak represented 16.67% historic sites, but only 3.09% of trees in foraging areas, and black gum comprised 13.89% of canopy trees but only 5.16% of foraging area trees. For most tree species, use did not differ substantially from availability. Our research suggests that Cerulean Warblers are highly selective in their use of canopy tree species for foraging, indicating sensitivity to tree composition within breeding habitat. Forest compositional shifts driven by succession or management may make some historically occupied sites less suitable. For example, lower availability of Shagbark hickory at abandoned sites compared to foraging sites suggests that reduced presence of Shagbark may contribute to site abandonment.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Brayden D. and Kohler, Dustin, "Population Loss and Site Abandonment of Cerulean Warblers (Setophaga Cerulea) in the Ozarks" (2026). ATU Scholars Symposium. 60.
https://orc.library.atu.edu/atu_rs/2026/2026/60
Included in
Population Loss and Site Abandonment of Cerulean Warblers (Setophaga Cerulea) in the Ozarks
Online
Cerulean Warblers (Setophaga cerulea) have declined across their breeding range, including the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, where historically occupied sites have experienced reduced populations or abandonment. Understanding population trends and habitat structure is important for informing forest management and conservation. This study compares historic and current Cerulean Warbler counts at selected upland sites within the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest and evaluates whether differences in canopy composition between abandoned historic sites and foraging sites currently used by Cerulean Warblers can explain site abandonment. Population trajectories varied among sites. Cherry Bend remained consistently occupied from 1998-2004 with 16-24 individuals and supported 17 individuals in 2025. South Cherry Bend and Sulphur Road remained occupied but showed lower counts, with Sulphur Road declining from 26 individuals in 1998 to 3 in 2025. In contrast, Solly’s Knob, East Solly’s Knob, and Payne Ridge supported individuals historically but were unoccupied in 2025. Canopy composition between used and historic sites revealed differences in tree use. Shagbark hickory accounted for 26.8% of trees in foraging areas but composed only 4.17% of the abandoned sites. Both white oak and black gum were underutilized for foraging relative to their availability: white oak represented 16.67% historic sites, but only 3.09% of trees in foraging areas, and black gum comprised 13.89% of canopy trees but only 5.16% of foraging area trees. For most tree species, use did not differ substantially from availability. Our research suggests that Cerulean Warblers are highly selective in their use of canopy tree species for foraging, indicating sensitivity to tree composition within breeding habitat. Forest compositional shifts driven by succession or management may make some historically occupied sites less suitable. For example, lower availability of Shagbark hickory at abandoned sites compared to foraging sites suggests that reduced presence of Shagbark may contribute to site abandonment.