The Boreal Avian Modelling Project

The boreal forest provides breeding habitat for a majority of North America’s migratory landbirds. This region is under increasing pressure from industrial development and climate change, underscoring the urgent need for rigorous, science-based conservation solutions. 

BAM was initiated in 2004 to address significant gaps in knowledge required to effectively manage and conserve boreal birds. Our Project Team, which is comprised of academic researchers, government scientists, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students, works collaboratively with other researchers and organizations interested in developing and applying science to bird conservation and management.

BAM has made significant gains in filling knowledge gaps and advancing boreal bird conservation by developing analytical models using the most extensive dataset available. This dataset, which spans the boreal and hemi-boreal regions of North America, is a compilation of publically-available data and data generously contributed by numerous independent researchers and partners. These data have been harmonized into a single dataset using a novel statistical approach. BAM’s analytical models have been used to:  

• Quantify habitat associations of birds from regional to national scales; 
• Determine which habitats are important to species of conservation concern and why;  
• Estimate population size and explain historic population trends;
• Predict how bird populations will respond to changes in habitat and climatic conditions through time and across geographic areas, including change resulting from management decisions;  
• Design and implement efficient and effective monitoring programs for boreal birds.  

If you’re interested in developing and/or applying science to boreal bird conservation or if you have data that you want to contribute to this cause, we invite you to contact a member of the BAM team or call or write the address below.