Cattle Pastures as High Tide Refugia for Shorebirds in Humboldt Bay

Presentation Year

2026

College or Department

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Short Description of your Research or Creative Project (700 characters or less)

Shorebirds displaced from intertidal mudflats during high tide inundation often utilize nearby grasslands as alternative foraging and roosting habitats. I hypothesize that shorebird abundance and species richness are higher in pastures located near their primary habitats, and are similarly positively correlated with moist soil, standing water, and cattle presence. To test this, I will conduct surveys during high tides across various pastures in the Arcata Bottoms, measuring shorebird abundance, species richness, and key habitat features such as soil moisture, surface water presence, cattle presence, and proximity to the nearest tidal flat. The relationships between these habitat characteristics and shorebird response variables will be analyzed using multiple linear regression. The findings from this study could contribute to a better understanding of shorebird habitat selection, especially regarding their use of agricultural lands and how these areas serve as supplemental habitats. This information can inform conservation strategies in coastal regions where wetland habitats are declining.

Permission to Publish Work

Yes

Presentation File Upload

wildlife-gagnebin-colby-203436-4x3.pdf (24.81 KB)

Primary Contact: First Name

Colby

Primary Contact: Last Name

Gagnebin

Primary Contact: Email

cg368@humboldt.edu

Primary Contact: I am a

Undergraduate Student

Primary Contact: Phone Number

2092579114

Indicate File Dimensions

4'x3'