A new analysis of birds on state endangered species lists suggests that some species receive insufficient protection while others are receiving protection unnecessarily.
This may be attributable to the fact that state endangered species lists are composed by policy process rather than by scientific process.
Birder's World has a good article highlighting the new analysis.
You can also find the analysis, by Jeff Wells of the Boreal Songbird Initiative, at PLoS ONE.
In Ohio, the following species are listed as endangered (e) or threatened (t) though their listing could be considered questionable based on the new analysis. Many of the species on these lists are based on local rarity and rarity is prioritized, however rarity may be detrimental to conservation efforts.
-Yellow-bellied Sapsucker(e): Primarily migratory(2) through Ohio with a resident population estimate in the state of about 400 birds, while the global population estimate is 9,000,000 individuals (1).
-Loggerhead Shrike (e): The global population for this species is estimated at 4,200,000 individuals while Ohio's estimated population is roughly 300 individuals(1). Loggerhead Shrikes invaded Ohio in the mid-1800's as deciduous forests were replaced by agricultural fields and then declined by the 1930's (2).
-Lark Sparrow (e): a species that spread into Ohio in the 19th century as land use became primarily agricultural. Their occurrence in the state was sparse and varied from place-to-place until in the 1960's they were restricted to the Oak Openings preserve near Toledo, Ohio (2). Peterjohn suggests that at most Ohio hosted about 12 breeding pairs in the Oak Openings region (2), while the global population estimate is 9,900,000 individuals (1).
-Dark-eyed Junco (t): The global population estimate for this species is 260,000,000 whereas(1) the Ohio breeding population is roughly 30-50 individuals(2).
Some species should probably be given greater priority given that Ohio hosts a relatively large portion of the global population of these species.
-Cerulean Warbler is considered a species of concern in Ohio, however the global population for this species is estimated at 560,000 individuals (1). Ohio hosts an esitimated 70,000 breeding Cerulean Warblers, or ~13% fo the total population(1). Ohio's role in the management of this species is potentially great and proper habitat management may bolster global population numbers.
-Henslow's Sparrow, an Ohio species of concern, hosts an estimated population of 6,000 individuals or ~7.5% of the global population of 80,000.
While some birders and state naturalists may be inclined to disagree with this new analysis, because it may impact their state lists, the proposal of species listing and management based on a more scientific process should result in more efficient and cost-effective management practices.
1 Partner in Flight Landbird Population Estimates Database, Version 2004
2 Peterjohn, B. G. 2001. The Birds Of Ohio. The Wooster Book Company. Wooster, Ohio.
Our mission is to promote the art of bird conservation through science and education.
