Effects of Drought on Breeding Populations of Shortgrass Prairie Birds on the Pueblo Chemical Depot

Dr. Claire Varian-Ramos will discuss how the shortgrass prairie is threatened by anthropogenic environmental changes, including climate change. Climate models indicate increased probability of dryer summers across much of the region. Despite declining populations, shortgrass prairie birds remain understudied. Some species may be able to mitigate the impacts of climate change by avoiding areas experiencing poor rainfall. She has used point-counts to assess the breeding populations of four shortgrass prairie songbirds, Cassin’s Sparrows, Lark Buntings, Lark Sparrows, and Western Meadowlarks at the Pueblo Chemical Depot in southern Colorado. Differences in response to drought may reflect differences in behavioral plasticity which may make some species better able to adjust to the effects of climate change than others.

Dr. Varian-Ramos is an Associate Professor and the Graduate Program Director of the Biology Department at Colorado State University – Pueblo.

This will be an in-person meeting held at the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Office at 4255 Sinton Road 80907. A Zoom link will be available for those who wish to join virtually.

Snacks & Bird Chat (meet & mingle) 6:30pm
Meeting announcements 7:00pm
Program Presentation 7:15pm
Photo: Dr. Claire Varian-Ramos

You can also join us on Zoom!
Time: Jan 18, 2023 06:30 PM Mountain Time
Meeting ID: 893 4749 7286
Passcode: 252722