Bird Abundance and Diversity Relative to Habitat Features of Laramie Plains Lakes, Wyoming

Abstract

We determined relative abundance and diversity of bird species and habitat features on 13 lakes on the Laramie Plains, a high-elevation intermountain plain in southeastern Wyoming, during summer 1994. A total of 48 species of birds were observed from May to July. Relative abundance of birds observed on individual lakes increased with water surface area and area of hard-stem bulrush (Scirpus acutus) along the shoreline. Diversity of bird species declined with increasing water surface area and the length of bare ground along the shoreline. Marshlike habitat was most abundant around the shore of small lakes forming habitat for marsh birds and leading to greater overall species diversity compared to large lakes. Species richness of birds had a curvilinear relationship with water surface area and was greatest among intermediate sized lakes. A mix of marsh-like habitat and bare ground along the shoreline provided habitat for marsh birds and shorebirds leading to high species richness among intermediate-size lakes. It appears that stabilization of water levels and resulting succession from playas to lakes with more marsh-like features has led to a greater abundance and diversity of birds associated with lakes on the Laramie Plains.