AVIAN HABITAT FRAGMENTATION SULLIVAN COUNTY, PA ARIEL RIES TABLE OF CONTENTS BACKGROUND SHALE FRAGMENTATION 3 AVIAN HABITAT IMPORTANCE 4 AVIAN HABITAT MAPS YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER 5 - 7 AMERICAN BITTERN 8 - 10 BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER 11 - 13 CHIPPING SPARROW 14 - 18 BLUE JAY 19 - 23 GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER 24 - 28 EASTERN TOWHEE 29 - 30 IMPLICATIONS CURRENT SPECIES HABITAT LOSS 31-32 INVASIVE SPECIES HABITAT GAIN 33-34 IMPLICATIONS 35-36 SUPPORTING MATERIAL ADDITIONAL AVIAN INFORMATION 37 - 43 SOURCES 44 [CONDITIONS] The changes of the natural ecosystem based on human interac- tions have altered the landscape over time. Pennsylvania has seen the change in the landscape from the booming natural gas industry, [AGRICULTURAL FIELDS] especially in the northern and western part of the state. As the land- scape changes, so too does the natural habitats of the wildlife that depends on them. Ecosystem fragmentation is inevitable in human growth and development, but with planning and analysis, there can be pro-active ways to manage the fragmentation. Birds are one of the most identifi able wildlife species that can indicate disturbances [WETLANDS] in the natural ecosystem (McWilliams, xi). Indications can show the health of the ecosystem through the migration and immigration of bird habitats in the area. The health of the ecosystem for the avian species can indicate water quality, air quality, core forest acreage, and invasive wildlife species (US Forest Service, ‘Importance’). Not only are birds important for the ecosystem, it is also a resource [EVERGREEN FOREST] appreciated by humans alike. Visually and audibly stunning, birds are both a hobby and a connection to nature for many people. The early morning chirping of birds is a morning symphony for people who have located themselves within the natural landscape. With the absence of bird habitats, many birds are forced to relocate to other areas that can still support their breeding and nesting needs. [DECIDIOUS FOREST] [STATE GAME & STATE FOREST] 3 [CONDITIONS] This project will highlight 7 key bird species that are either present in Sullivan County at the moment or will migrate in once Marcellus Shale gas drilling takes place, and their habitat changes through the process. The 3 species that have current habitats in Sullivan County are Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, American Bittern, and Black-throated Green War- bler. These 3 avian species highlight specifi c and different types of habitats that each prefer. This project will then look at the disturbance of natural gas drilling with relationships to the current species and the introduction of 4 other bird species. By utilizing ArcGIS mapping systems and sourced information on the specifi c birds, habitat maps were created based on 3 conditions: current conditions, market based pipe- line disturbance, and conservation based pipeline disturbance. For each of the maps, the natural habitat is in a color based on the color of the birds with a red showing fragmented habitats. Each of the maps show the specifi c disturbance pipelines for natural gas drilling has on fragmentation of habitats. The birds seen below correspond to the certain condi- tions for their habitat, such as agriculutral lands, roads, wetlands, and forest. [ROADS] [AGRICULTURAL FIELDS] [WETLANDS] [CONIFEROUS] [DECIDUOUS] 4 YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER CORE HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION CORE DECIDUOUS & CONIFEROUS FOREST / FOUND IN THICKETS [FOOD] 5 INSECTS / ANTHROPODS / FRUIT YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER CORE HABITAT FRAGMENTED HABITAT [HABITAT] ROAD PIPELINE [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION CORE DECIDUOUS & CONIFEROUS FOREST / FOUND IN THICKETS TNC WELL LOCATION [FOOD] 6 INSECTS / ANTHROPODS / FRUIT YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER CORE HABITAT FRAGMENTED HABITAT [HABITAT] ROAD PIPELINE [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION CORE DECIDUOUS & CONIFEROUS FOREST / FOUND IN THICKETS TNC WELL LOCATION [FOOD] 7 INSECTS / ANTHROPODS / FRUIT AMERICAN BITTERN CORE HABITAT LAKE ROAD [HABITAT] [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION FORESTED FRESH WATER WETLANDS [FOOD] 8 INSECTS / FISH / CRUSTACEANS / AMPHIBIANS / REPTILES AMERICAN BITTERN CORE HABITAT FRAGMENTED HABITAT LAKE [HABITAT] ROAD PIPELINE [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION FORESTED FRESH WATER WETLANDS TNC WELL LOCATION [FOOD] 9 INSECTS / FISH / CRUSTACEANS / AMPHIBIANS / REPTILES AMERICAN BITTERN CORE HABITAT FRAGMENTED HABITAT LAKE [HABITAT] ROAD PIPELINE [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION FORESTED FRESH WATER WETLANDS TNC WELL LOCATION [FOOD] 10 INSECTS / FISH / CRUSTACEANS / AMPHIBIANS / REPTILES BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER CORE HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION CONIFEROUS FOREST / TRANSITIONAL FOREST [FOOD] 11 INSECTS / INSECT LARVAE BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER CORE HABITAT FRAGMENTED HABITAT [HABITAT] ROAD PIPELINE [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION CONIFEROUS FOREST / TRANSITIONAL FOREST TNC WELL LOCATION [FOOD] 12 INSECTS / INSECT LARVAE BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER CORE HABITAT FRAGMENTED HABITAT [HABITAT] ROAD PIPELINE [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION CONIFEROUS FOREST / TRANSITIONAL FOREST TNC WELL LOCATION [FOOD] 13 INSECTS / INSECT LARVAE CHIPPING SPARROW HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION CONIFEROUS FOREST EDGES [FOOD] 14 SEEDS / GRASSES / HERBS / INSECTS CHIPPING SPARROW HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] PIPELINE TNC WELL LOCATION [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION CONIFEROUS FOREST EDGES [FOOD] 15 SEEDS / GRASSES / HERBS / INSECTS CHIPPING SPARROW HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] PIPELINE TNC WELL LOCATION [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION CONIFEROUS FOREST EDGES [FOOD] 16 SEEDS / GRASSES / HERBS / INSECTS CHIPPING SPARROW HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] PIPELINE TNC WELL LOCATION [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION CONIFEROUS FOREST EDGES [FOOD] 17 SEEDS / GRASSES / HERBS / INSECTS CHIPPING SPARROW HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] PIPELINE TNC WELL LOCATION [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION CONIFEROUS FOREST EDGES [FOOD] 18 SEEDS / GRASSES / HERBS / INSECTS BLUE JAY HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION DECIDUOUS FOREST EDGES / URBAN AREAS [FOOD] 19 INSECTS / NUTS / SEEDS / OTHER BIRD SPECIES EGGS BLUE JAY HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] PIPELINE TNC WELL LOCATION [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION DECIDUOUS FOREST EDGES / URBAN AREAS [FOOD] 20 INSECTS / NUTS / SEEDS / OTHER BIRD SPECIES EGGS BLUE JAY HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] PIPELINE TNC WELL LOCATION [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION DECIDUOUS FOREST EDGES / URBAN AREAS [FOOD] 21 INSECTS / NUTS / SEEDS / OTHER BIRD SPECIES EGGS BLUE JAY HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] PIPELINE TNC WELL LOCATION [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION DECIDUOUS FOREST EDGES / URBAN AREAS [FOOD] 22 INSECTS / NUTS / SEEDS / OTHER BIRD SPECIES EGGS BLUE JAY HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] PIPELINE TNC WELL LOCATION [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION DECIDUOUS FOREST EDGES / URBAN AREAS [FOOD] 23 INSECTS / NUTS / SEEDS / OTHER BIRD SPECIES EGGS GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION SUCCESSIONAL FORESTS / CLEARCUTS / ABANDONED FARMS [FOOD] 24 INSECTS / SPIDERS GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] PIPELINE TNC WELL LOCATION [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION SUCCESSIONAL FORESTS / CLEARCUTS / ABANDONED FARMS [FOOD] 25 INSECTS / SPIDERS GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] PIPELINE TNC WELL LOCATION [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION SUCCESSIONAL FORESTS / CLEARCUTS / ABANDONED FARMS [FOOD] 26 INSECTS / SPIDERS GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] PIPELINE TNC WELL LOCATION [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - CONSERVATION SUCCESSIONAL FORESTS / CLEARCUTS / ABANDONED FARMS [FOOD] 27 INSECTS / SPIDERS GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER HABITAT ROAD [HABITAT] PIPELINE TNC WELL LOCATION [CURRENT CONDITIONS] [CURRENT BASED] [DISTURBED CONDITIONS - MARKET BASED]