Shorebird ecology, conservation, and management / Mark A. Colwell.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part I. Evolutionary Relationships, Anatomy and Morphology, and Breeding Biology -- 1. Introduction -- Diversity and Distribution -- Varied Ecomorphology -- Diverse Social Systems -- Globe-Trotting Migrants -- Wetland Dependence -- Conservation and Management -- Rationale for and Organization of This Book -- 2. Systematics, Phylogeny, and Phylogeography -- Fossil History -- Brief History of Shorebird Systematics -- Phylogeography -- Hybridization in Shorebirds -- Biogeography and Communities -- Conservation Implications -- 3. Morphology, Anatomy, and Physiology -- Skeletal and Muscle System -- Integumentary System -- Sensory Apparatus, Foraging, and Digestion -- Digestive System -- Energetics and Thermoregulation -- Osmoregulation -- Reproductive System -- Conservation Implications -- 4. Mating Systems -- Defining a Mating System -- Role of Ecological Factors -- Social versus Genetic Relationships -- Parental Care Patterns -- Evolution of Polyandry -- Variance in Reproductive Success -- Size Dimorphism -- Sex Ratios -- Conservation Implications -- 5. Breeding Biology -- Philopatry, Breeding Site Fidelity, and Dispersal -- Spring Arrival Schedules -- Courtship Behavior -- Breeding Densities -- Selection of a Breeding Site -- Eggs -- Incubation -- Hatching -- Chick Growth and Development -- Conservation Implications -- Part II. Nonbreeding Ecology and Demography -- 6. Migration -- Origins and Evolution -- Migration Strategies -- Physiology of Migration -- Hop, Skip, and Jump -- Populations and Flyways -- Conservation Implications -- 7. Foraging Ecology and Habitat Use -- Diets -- Foraging Maneuvers and Habitat Use -- Acquiring Energy -- Food Availability -- Individual Variation -- Conservation Implications -- 8. Shorebirds As Predators -- Shorebird Predators and Their Prey -- Predicting Wetland Use -- Competition and Food Limitation -- Prey Reduction -- Community Ecology -- Conservation Implications -- 9. Spatial Ecology and Winter Social Organization -- Quantifying Spatial Distributions -- Range of Social Organization -- Roosts -- Conservation Implications -- 10. Population Biology -- Demography -- Survival -- Productivity -- Population Sizes and Trends -- Monitoring Programs -- Limiting Factors -- Human Impacts -- Conservation Implications -- Part III. Management and Conservation -- 11. Habitat Conservation and Management -- Decision Making in Wildlife Management -- Wetland Conservation -- Conservation Planning and Implementation -- Wetland Management -- Agricultural Lands -- Salt Ponds -- Sandy, Ocean-Fronting Beaches -- Conservation Implications -- 12. Managing Predators -- Ethical Considerations and Decision Making -- Do Predators Limit Shorebird Populations? -- Methods of Control -- Conservation Implications -- 13. Managing Human Disturbance -- Definitions of Human Disturbance -- Characterizing Disturbance -- Responses to Disturbance -- Managing Disturbance -- Conservation Implications -- 14. Education and Outreach -- Professional Groups -- Environmental Education -- Ecotourism and Birding Festivals -- Books and Online Resources -- Conservation Implications.