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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
13.2.15. Human Disturbances Of Waterfowl: Causes, Effects, And Management, Carl E. Korschgen, Robert B. Dahlgren
13.2.15. Human Disturbances Of Waterfowl: Causes, Effects, And Management, Carl E. Korschgen, Robert B. Dahlgren
Waterfowl Management Handbook
Human disturbances of waterfowl can be intentional or unintentional. They may result from overt or directed activities or may be ancillary to activities not initially thought to be of concern to birds. Some of these disturbances are manifested by alertness, fright (obvious or unapparent), flight, swimming, disablement, or death. Therefore, persons responsible for waterfowl management areas should be aware of the problems from human disturbance and should design management and facilities that increase public appreciation of waterfowl.
In the last 20 years, the intensity of water-based recreation increased drastically, especially on inland waters. Waterfowl are wary, seeking refuge from all …
13.2.7. Identifying The Factors That Limit Duck Production, James K. Ringelman
13.2.7. Identifying The Factors That Limit Duck Production, James K. Ringelman
Waterfowl Management Handbook
Low duck populations in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s prompted unprecedented action from the natural resources community. Agencies and private organizations that were traditionally involved with waterfowl management redoubled their efforts, in the process forming partnerships with groups that were relatively new to the waterfowl management arena. Many resource managers who have had relatively little experience with waterfowl habitat management now find themselves expected to manage duck populations for increased production. Decades of waterfowl research and management experience have provided them with many potential management tools. Unfortunately, the absence of general guidelines for directing waterfowl management actions has put …
13.3.7. Ecology Of Playa Lakes, David A. Haukos, Loren M. Smith
13.3.7. Ecology Of Playa Lakes, David A. Haukos, Loren M. Smith
Waterfowl Management Handbook
Between 25,000 and 30,000 playa lakes are in the playa lakes region of the southern high plains (Fig. 1). Most playas are in west Texas (about 20,000), and fewer, in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado. The playa lakes region is one of the most intensively cultivated areas of North America. Dominant crops range from cotton in southern areas to cereal grains in the north. Therefore, most of the native short-grass prairie is gone, replaced by crops and, recently, grasses of the Conservation Reserve Program. Playas are the predominant wetlands and major wildlife habitat of the region.
More than 115 …
13.3.6. Ecology Of Montane Wetlands, James K. Ringelman
13.3.6. Ecology Of Montane Wetlands, James K. Ringelman
Waterfowl Management Handbook
Most waterfowl managers envision typical waterfowl habitat as the undulating or flat terrain characteristic of the prairie pothole region of the north-central United States or the aspen parklands of Canada. However, several other habitats in North America provide valuable resources for breeding and migrating waterfowl. Among these is the Rocky Mountain region of the western United States, which stretches in a band 100&#;500 miles (160&#;800 km) wide and 1,240 miles (1,984 km) long from south-central New Mexico to northern Montana (Figure).
Some Rocky Mountain wetland complexes contain waterfowl breeding densities that equal or exceed those of prairie breeding habitat, and …
13.1.6. Life History And Habitat Needs Of The Wood Duck, Katie M. Dugger, Leigh H. Fredrickson
13.1.6. Life History And Habitat Needs Of The Wood Duck, Katie M. Dugger, Leigh H. Fredrickson
Waterfowl Management Handbook
The wood duck is North America’s most widely distributed endemic species, and most of its wintering and breeding range falls within the 48 contiguous states (Fig. 1). The wood duck inhabits forested wetlands and, because of its need for nest cavities, is closely tied to North America’s remaining forest resources. Habitat destruction, market hunting, and liberal hunting seasons contributed to drastic declines and, in some cases, regional eradication of local wood duck populations. Subsequent implementation of hunting restrictions and the high reproductive rate of the species are responsible for the recovery of wood duck populations to current stable levels.
As …
13.2.14. Management Of Habitat For Breeding And Migrating Shorebirds In The Midwest, Jan Eldridge
13.2.14. Management Of Habitat For Breeding And Migrating Shorebirds In The Midwest, Jan Eldridge
Waterfowl Management Handbook
Shorebirds have always relied on the extensive network of natural wetlands from Texas to North Dakota. This network has now been fractured by wetland drainage and agriculture to the point where suitable wetlands are absent in much of the Midwest. Habitat loss and the resulting risk of population decline highlight the importance of management of shorebirds on refuges, hunting clubs, and preserves for both breeding and migrating species.
Because shorebirds, like waterfowl, depend on wetlands throughout the year, the loss of natural wetlands in the Midwest poses a real threat. Unfortunately, shorebirds are slow to recover from population declines caused …
13.4.5. A Technique For Estimating Seed Production Of Common Moist-Soil Plants, Murray Laubhan
13.4.5. A Technique For Estimating Seed Production Of Common Moist-Soil Plants, Murray Laubhan
Waterfowl Management Handbook
Seeds of native herbaceous vegetation adapted to germination in hydric soils (i.e., moist-soil plants) provide waterfowl with nutritional resources including essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that occur only in small amounts or are absent in other foods. These elements are essential for waterfowl to successfully complete aspects of the annual cycle such as molt and reproduction. Moist-soil vegetation also has the advantages of consistent production of foods across years with varying water availability, low management costs, high tolerance to diverse environmental conditions, and low deterioration rates of seeds after flooding.
The amount of seed produced differs among plant species …