Conservation value of the umbrella species concept: Prairie Warblers receive few conferred benefits when habitat is managed for American Woodcock in Rhode Island, USA

The umbrella species concept is a popular management approach based on the assumption that conserving one species benefits others, yet assessments beyond abundance often reveal mismatches in benefits to non-target species. We compared the density, territory size, and key metrics of seasonal reproductive success for Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor, hereafter PRAW) between study sites that differed in relative likelihood of selection (RLS) as determined for American Woodcock (Scolopax minor, hereafter AMWO), a proposed umbrella species for early successional habitat in eastern North America. Sites with higher AMWO RLS had higher densities of singing male PRAW, which in turn defended smaller territories. Nest survival of PRAW, and the probability of Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater, hereafter BHCO) parasitism were not related to AMWO RLS, but parasitized nests in high RLS sites fledged smaller nestlings compared to parasitized nests in low RLS sites. If reduced growth rates negatively impact post fledging survival, then PRAW nesting in these high RLS areas would recruit fewer individuals than those nesting in low RLS areas. Even though density of PRAW was greater at sites with high AMWO RLS, PRAW did not fully benefit from forest management aimed at AMWO in Rhode Island, USA in that metrics of reproductive success were lower at sites with high AMWO RLS in part because of BHCO parasitism.