Characterizing thermal landscapes for nesting Interior Least Terns (Sternula antillarum athalassos)
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Wildlife Conservation Biology
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Matthew Carroll
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Interior Least Terns (Sternula antillarum athalassos; hereafter Least Tern) nest on beaches and sandbars during summer which expose both adults and eggs to extreme heat and direct solar radiation (Krogh and Schweitzer 1999, Andes et al. 2020). Despite being a species of conservation concern (Maslo et al. 2018), the thermal landscapes where Least Terns nest remain mostly uncharacterized, Addressing this knowledge is particularly important given that large numbers of Least Terns nest on sandbars in the central and southern United States where hot temperatures are routine.
Spring Scholars Week 2026
Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Characterizing thermal landscapes for nesting Interior Least Terns (Sternula antillarum athalassos)
Interior Least Terns (Sternula antillarum athalassos; hereafter Least Tern) nest on beaches and sandbars during summer which expose both adults and eggs to extreme heat and direct solar radiation (Krogh and Schweitzer 1999, Andes et al. 2020). Despite being a species of conservation concern (Maslo et al. 2018), the thermal landscapes where Least Terns nest remain mostly uncharacterized, Addressing this knowledge is particularly important given that large numbers of Least Terns nest on sandbars in the central and southern United States where hot temperatures are routine.