Graduation Year

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.S.

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Degree Granting Department

Geosciences

Major Professor

Philip V. Beynen, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Joni F. Downs, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Steven Reader, Ph.D.

Keywords

Species of threat, Habitat Attractants, strike probability, Risk assessment

Abstract

Managing wildlife at airports poses a challenge for ensuring safety for aviation traffic. Airports, with their surrounding habitats and infrastructure, serve as attractants for avian species. Threats created by these species have led managers to develop management techniques in and around airports (DeVault et al 2013). One approach is the use of geographic information systems (GIS) for analyzing avian strike data and airport bird surveys. Spatial analysis of strike data identifies species of threat by categorizing strike occurrence, species sizes, phase of flight, and risk of damage. In addition, GIS can be used to map hotspots of bird strikes. These functions assist in improving airport wildlife management plans. My thesis investigates the threat to safe aviation operations posed by bird species at Tampa International Airport (TIA). My main research questions are (1) which species pose the most risk, and (2) does habitat play a role in elevating this risk. First, I categorized bird species into their strike probability categories by focusing on birds with strikes greater than 10, data for which was supplied by the FAA strike database. Second, I classified relative risk for species using both strike data and airport bird surveys. Those species of highest risk I considered birds with over 10 recorded strikes and high survey counts. Pearson correlation results for the species with strikes greater than 10 showed a positive correlation between species abundance and strikes. Heat maps generated for these five species showed how they are distributed across the airport landscape with the urban area having the highest concentration for Unidentified Gulls and Turkey Vultures. Future research could provide more clarity on these findings by including advanced bird monitoring technologies (e.g. bird radar) and bird strike contributory factors (meteorological conditions).

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