The Partners in Flight North American Landbird Conservation Plan (Rich et al. 2004) established continental population-based goals for 448 native species that breed in the United States and Canada. To achieve these goals, target population levels were assigned to Bird Conservation Regions (BCR) and Joint Ventures and other partnerships were tasked with the creation of landscapes capable of sustaining populations at these prescribed levels. Translating target population levels into habitat objectives within each BCR requires the establishment of a link between habitats and populations. This link does not exist for most species. Thus, the purpose of our research is to develop a comprehensive, replicable approach to ecoregional habitat assessment that links habitat conditions to the density and productivity of priority avian species. Our specific objectives are to:

• Assess the ability of landscapes to sustain priority species at prescribed population levels based on the extent and distribution of available habitats
• Monitor changes in the ability of landscapes to sustain species
• Predict how landscape suitability changes under alternative succession and disturbance patterns, land use, conservation strategies, management practices, and development pressures

Our project is focused on forest and shrubland birds of conservation concern in the Central Hardwoods (BCR 24) and West Gulf Coastal Plain/Ouachita Mountains (BCR 25) BCRs.

 
Location of study area Bird Conservation Regions (BCR) relative to state boundaries.