Abouelezz_Piping Plovers 2013 .pdf - New York-New Jersey Harbor ...

Gateway National Recreation AreaBrave New World…• Hurricane Sandy removed vegetation and increased the availability ofsuitable nesting habitat for the piping plover as well as other specialstatus species (Common Terns, Least Terns and Black Skimmers)• “Will the number of nesting pairs and/or reproductive successincrease proportionally to this increase in habitat or will otherdisturbances hold back productivity?”- Using pre and post storm satellite imagery to quantify theamount of nesting habitat in ArcGIS• Will terns return to NPS property, thus buffering nesting pipingplovers from American oystercatcher harassment?• 2013 should be a interesting season!