Image
Ecology and Vulnerability
Marsh Wren
Photo credit: Chris Buelow, MassWildlife
Scientific name
Cistothorus palustris
Profile: Marsh Wren ▾▸
Background
The marsh wren is an obligate wetland breeding species1, which means it is limited to using freshwater and brackish marshes with dense, reedy vegetation2,3,4. Marsh wrens breed from Nova...
Background
The marsh wren is an obligate wetland breeding species1, which means it is limited to using freshwater and brackish marshes with dense, reedy vegetation2,3,4. Marsh wrens breed from Nova Scotia south to Florida and along the Gulf coast to Texas2. They spend the winter within portions of their breeding range and south to Baja California and neighboring areas of Mexico2. In Massachusetts, marsh wrens are summer breeders only, spread throughout the state but with highest concentrations on the coastal plains5. Much of this concentration is centered around large wetlands such as Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport5.
Climate Impacts
Throughout their range, marsh wrens can be found in tidally influenced habitats, particularly tidal marshes6. This habitat is considered vulnerable to climate change induced sea-level rise7,8. However, uncertainty about the response of tidal marsh habitat to climate change remains. The reduction of suitable habitat for marsh wren is possible if sea-level rise substantially alters salt marshes, especially if urban development prevents the shifting of habitat.
Researchers in the Prairie Pothole Region of the Great Plains found that climate variables were strong predictors of wetland bird abundance, including marsh wrens9. Spring temperature was found to be a very important predictor of abundance and yearly precipitation was moderately important. Modeling studies considering habitat capability and climate suitability conducted by the University of Massachusetts project a substantial increase (62%) in the capability of the landscape of the Northeast to support this species by 208010.
References
1. Grieves, L.A., and S. Forbes. 2012. Do sora nests protect red-winged blackbirds from marsh wren predation? The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 124:188-190.
2. American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Check-list of North American Birds. 7th edition. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.
3. Benoit, L.K., and R.A. Askins. 1999. Impact of the spread of Phragmites on the distribution of birds in Connecticut tidal marshes. Wetlands 19:194-208.
4. Linz, G.M., D.C. Blixt, D.L. Bergman, and W.J. Bleier. 1996. Responses of red-winged blackbirds, yellow-headed blackbirds and marsh wrens to glyphosate-induced alterations in cattail density. Journal of Field Ornithology 67:167-176.
5. Massachusetts Audubon. 2015. Marsh wren Cistothorus palustris. Breeding Bird Atlas 2 Species Accounts. < http://www.massaudubon.org/our-conservation-work/wildlife-research-conservation/statewide-bird-monitoring/breeding-bird-atlases/bba2/find-a-bird/(id)/4496> (Accessed 3 June 2015).
6. Rush, S.A., E.C. Soehren, M.S. Woodrey, C.L. Graydon, and R.J. Cooper. 2009. Occupancy of select marsh birds within northern Gulf of Mexico tidal marsh: current estimates and projected change. Wetlands 29:798-808.
7. Veloz, S.D., N. Nur, L. Salas, D. Jongsomjit, J. Wood, D. Stralberg, and G. Ballard. 2013. Modeling climate change impacts on tidal marsh birds: Restoration and conservation planning in the face of uncertainty. Ecosphere 4:1-25.
8. Horton, R., G. Yohe, W. Easterling, R. Kates, M. Ruth, E. Sussman, A. Whelchel, D. Wolfe, and F. Lipschultz. 2014. Ch. 16: Northeast. Climate Change Impacts in the United States: The Third National Climate Assessment. Pages 371-395 in J. M. Melillo, T.(.C.). Richmond, and G. W. Yohe, editors. U.S. Global Change Research Program.
9. Forcey, G.M., G.M. Linz, W.E. Thogmartin, and W.J. Bleier. 2007. Influence of land use and climate on wetland breeding birds in the Prairie Pothole region of Canada. Canadian Journal of Zoology 85:421-436.
10. DeLuca, W., and K. McGarigal. 2014. DSL Project Component: Species. Available at < http://www.umass.edu/landeco/research/dsl/documents/dsl_documents.html> (Accessed 29 April 2015).
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment: Marsh Wren (Maine)
Ranking
Presumed Stable
Confidence
Moderate
Climate scenario
Not specified
Location
Maine
Time period
Not specified
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment: Marsh Wren (Northern Appalacians & Maritime Canada)
Ranking
Presumed Stable
Confidence
Very High
Climate scenario
SRES A1B (Mid-range emissions scenario)
Location
Northern Appalacians & Maritime Canada
Time period
2050
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment: Marsh Wren (North Atlantic Coast)
Ranking
Presumed Stable
Confidence
Very High
Climate scenario
SRES A1B (Mid-range emissions scenario)
Location
North Atlantic Coast
Time period
2050
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment: Marsh Wren (Mid-Atlantic Coast)
Ranking
Presumed Stable
Confidence
Very High
Climate scenario
SRES A1B (Mid-range emissions scenario)
Location
Mid-Atlantic Coast
Time period
2050