In my research project, I am investigating how the distribution of common ravens (Corvus corax) is influenced by elevation gradients in the Golden, B.C. area. This investigation is grounded in the theoretical framework of landscape ecology, which seeks to understand how spatial patterns and ecological processes interact across different scales of landscapes. Elevation gradients serve as natural environmental gradients that influence various ecological factors, including temperature, precipitation, vegetation composition, and resource availability. By focusing on elevation as a predictor variable, I aim to uncover how these environmental factors shape raven habitat selection and distribution patterns.
Furthermore, my research touches upon concepts of habitat specialization, which refer to the tendency of species to occupy specific habitats within their broader ecological range. Common ravens are known for their adaptability to diverse habitats, but they may exhibit preferences for certain elevation zones based on resource availability, predation pressure, and competition dynamics. Understanding how ravens exploit different elevational habitats can provide insights into their ecological niche and adaptive strategies.
Moreover, my research project delves into landscape-scale resource utilization by common ravens, particularly in human-altered landscapes. As scavengers and opportunistic feeders, ravens often exploit anthropogenic food sources such as urban areas, agricultural fields, and waste disposal sites. By examining raven distribution along elevation gradients in the context of human-modified landscapes, I aim to elucidate how human activities interact with natural environmental gradients to shape wildlife distribution patterns.
In summary, my research project draws upon theoretical principles from landscape ecology, habitat specialization, and landscape-scale resource utilization to investigate the ecological processes underlying common raven distribution along elevation gradients. Through this interdisciplinary approach, I hope to contribute to a deeper understanding of how environmental factors and human activities interact to influence wildlife distribution patterns in mountainous regions.
KEYWORDS THAT COULD DESCRIBE MY RESEARCH PROJECT ARE LISTED BELOW-
- Elevation gradients
- Common ravens
- Habitat selection
Great!