Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Effects Of Human Disturbances On The Behavior Of Wintering Ducks, Melissa L. Pease, Robert K. Rose, Mark J. Butler
Effects Of Human Disturbances On The Behavior Of Wintering Ducks, Melissa L. Pease, Robert K. Rose, Mark J. Butler
Biological Sciences Faculty Publications
Human activity causes wintering waterfowl to expend energy to avoid humans at a time in their annual cycle when energy conservation is important to survival, migration, and breeding reserves. Understanding the effects of recreational activities on waterfowl is important to managing natural resource areas where migratory birds depend on wetland habitat for resting and feeding. We investigated responses of 7 species of dabbling ducks to 5 different experimental human activities, (a pedestrian, a bicyclist, a truck traveling at 2 different speeds, and an electric passenger tram). Responses of ducks depended on type of disturbance, species, and distance from disturbances. Most …