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Show OLLEGE OF SCIENCE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS BIRD BANDING TO MONITOR UTAH'S AVIAN COMMUNITIES Leslie Lovlien (Cagan Sekercioglu) Department of Biology University of Utah Current research by Cagan Sekercioglu predicts the occurrence of a phenomenon known as "the escalator to extinction", in which avian species are forced to higher elevations due to increasing surface temperature until there are no longer enough food sources, habitable land, and breeding grounds to support them. As a result, the species are susceptible to extinction. M y group's research is based on determining sites for studying the population sizes of avian species found in Utah, and to develop baseline data for future models predicting risk based on elevational ranges. We captured birds then banded them in Red Butte Canyon, east of Salt Lake City and the Rio Mesa Center, near Moab.Their band number, species, gender, age, weight, wing length, and other indicators of health were noted before being released. The data was entered into a national database, which aids in the detection of changes in species patterns, such as changes in nesting location, migratory months, or population size. In 2011, the Rio Mesa banding station caught and banded 759 new birds across 50 species in two months with 364 birds recaptured for further analysis of population sizes and well being. In 2012, 834 new birds across 75 species were banded in four months with 213 birds recaptured. In 2012, the Red Butte banding station caught and banded 452 new birds across 44 species with 77 recaptures in 7 months. In the short term, our goal is to expand the understanding of the local avian communities in Utah and setting a baseline species list for further studies. With additional research, w e aim to utilize birds'wide array of niches provides a unique opportunity to detect ecological changes. We have determined that both Red Butte Canyon and Rio Mesa are suitable sites to conduct bird-banding to determine baseline avian populations in central and southern Utah, as well as for future elevational range studies. This is the first step in understanding the effects of climate change on the avian species in this community. Leslie Lovlien Cagan Sekercioglu 67 |