Hope College Biology

Environmental Factors Mediating Competition Among Birds

Currently, a great deal of effort is being aimed at understanding factors that promote or depress the breeding success of migratory songbirds such as Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis), whose populations suffered significant declines in past decades. Since 1992, we have studied a nestbox-using population of Eastern Bluebirds and their 2 major competitors, House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon) and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) at Consumer’s Energy in Port Sheldon, MI. Changes in species composition over this period have led us to hypothesize that structural and ecological features of the habitat strongly influence the type and degree of competitive interactions among birds using the same resources. We have also begun to investigate possible explanations for the high variance in behavioral aggression during nestbox defense. This year's study will focus on the interaction between nest defense and parental care of offspring. Students applying to this project must be able to begin research in May.

Ecological Interactions in Wetland Ecosystems

Watersheds in west Michigan have experienced a variety of dramatic and more subtle environmental changes in the past several years. For example, water levels in local lakes have declined, a major oil spill has wreaked havoc on a portion of the Kalamazoo River (summer 2010), and human influences have contributed to severe nutrient enrichment (eutrophication) in Lake Macatawa. Students may potentially investigate wildlife interactions and their responses to targeted wetland and watershed problems in this area as a part of the Biology research program in summer 2011. Supervisors will assist students in developing a targeted project of interest, in developing an experimental design and protocol, and in presenting the results of the work in both scientific venues and stakeholder meetings.

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