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THE MoSI (MONITOREO DE SOBREVIVENCIA INVERNAL) PROGRAM
Download the MoSI Manual and data sheets
Results from MAPS and other avian research programs suggest that conditions experienced by migratory land birds on their wintering grounds affect their survival, spring departure schedules, and subsequent productivity. Habitat loss and degradation on these species' tropical wintering grounds could be limiting populations, yet there is little information about habitat- and geographic-related variation in the survival and late winter physical condition of these species on their wintering grounds. In order to begin filling this data gap, and to complement the highly successful MAPS Program, IBP facilitated the establishment of the MoSI (Monitoreo de Sobrevivencia Invernal - Monitoring Overwintering Survival) Program in the winter of 2002-03. MoSI is a cooperative effort among organizations, researchers, and bird banders across the Northern Neotropics aimed at evaluating the quality of winter habitats for migratory landbirds
Extracting birds from a mistnet in Oaxaca, Mexico.
(Photograph courtesy of Manuel Grosselet)MoSI Program Goals
MoSI is designed to address monitoring, research, and management goals. The monitoring goal of MoSI is to provide estimates of monthly, overwintering, and annual survival rates and indices of late winter physical condition for a suite of 25 landbird species for a variety of habitats and geographic regions. Research goals of MoSI include (1) the statistical modeling of survival and physical condition as functions of age, sex, habitat, geographic location, and weather; (2) linking winter population parameters with breeding season vital rates and population trends; and (3) the development of predictive population models. Management goals of MoSI are to (1) use research results to develop strategies for reversing population declines and maintaining healthy populations, and (2) evaluate implemented management actions through an adaptive management framework. Like MAPS, MoSI calls for the establishment of a geographically extensive network of mist-netting and banding stations to meet these program objectives. The establishment of the MoSI network will also facilitate the collection of feathers for molecular analyses that link breeding and wintering populations
MoSI Field Protocol
The basic MoSI field protocol calls for five monthly (November through March) pulses of mist net operation on a 20-ha study area (the MoSI station) established in a habitat of interest where at least one MoSI target species can be captured in substantial numbers. Each pulse of mist netting consists of operating about 16 nets for two or (preferably) three consecutive days, yielding 10-15 days of netting during the five-month winter period.
Cape May Warbler
(photo by Kasey Krum and Mark Konop)MoSI Program Growth and Opportunities for 2008-09
The first 29 MoSI stations were established and operated in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean in 2002-03 with the hard work and dedication of 20 organizations and individual bird banders. With support from the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the MoSI Program expanded to 63 stations in 2003-04, and at least 60 stations have operated stations in each year through winter 2007-08. These stations have been operated by more than 60 cooperating individuals and organizations in 14 countries. If you are interested in establishing a new MoSI station, please contact Jose Luis Alcántara (jlalcant@colpos.mx) (for stations in Mexico), Mariamar Gutierrez (mariamar@salvanatura.org) (for stations in Central America), or James Saracco (jsaraccco@birdpop.org) (for stations in the Caribbean region or in South America)
Adopt a MoSI Station
The biggest stumbling block to maintaining MoSI stations for multiple years, and the biggest challenge to the long-term persistence of the MoSI program, is the ability to meet funding needs. If you are interested in “adopting” a MoSI station by providing funds to help cover station operation costs, visit our online donation page. For more information, please contact our MoSI Coordinator, Peter Pyle (ppyle@birdpop.org).
MoSI Training Workshops
In order to aid the recruitment of new stations and to provide training to current MoSI station operators and assistants, MoSI workshops are occasionally held. In addition to training, these workshops provide forums for communication and discussion among MoSI partners. MoSI banding or data-analysis workshops have been held in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia. Please contact Peter Pyle (ppyle@birdpop.org), or James Saracco (jsaracco@birdpop.org) for information on future workshop opportunities.
MoSI Bulletin Board
View the MoSI Bulletin Board
Because some interested and enthusiastic individuals may lack the experience, expertise, or personnel necessary for program participation, we encourage the establishment of partnerships between prospective MoSI station operators and experienced bird banders willing to assist with training or station operation. To facilitate these partnerships, we have established a bulletin board for proposed (or current) MoSI station operators and volunteer bird banders to contact one another. Potential volunteers with bird banding experience should complete our volunteer web form. Individuals or organizations intending to run (or with interest in running) MoSI stations that need assistance should complete the help wanted web form.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE MoSI PROGRAM!
More information about IBP's Neotropical Avian Ecology and Demographics Program.
