Date of Graduation

12-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Biology (MS)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Biological Sciences

Advisor/Mentor

Siepielski, Adam M.

Committee Member

DuRant, Sarah E.

Second Committee Member

Willson, John D.

Keywords

Aves; Climate change; Eastern Bluebird; Lay date; Phenology; Reproduction

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between multiple temperature variables, to include annual and pre-lay date temperatures with first-egg and mean first-egg lay dates of the eastern bluebird at the Warner Parks in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Data is collected by citizen scientists for the Eastern Bluebird Nesting Box Project while visiting artificial nest boxes throughout the park and recording observations made during the breeding season. Temperature data is retrieved from the Northwest Alliance for Computational Science and Engineering’s Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) Climate Group, based at Oregon State University. The analyses showed no correlation between annual or pre-lay date temperatures and first-egg and mean first-egg lay dates, despite observable trends. With the results of this study, I conclude that annual and pre-lay date temperatures do not advance first-egg or mean first-egg lay date in the eastern bluebird at this study site.

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