NAWCA Project Sumaries 2019-2
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Earliest Interior Occurrence of Eurasian Wigeon (Anas Penelope) in British Columbia
Wildlife Afield 10(1):38-39, 2013 © Biodiversity Centre for Wildlife Studies Earliest Interior Occurrence of Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) in British Columbia R. Wayne Campbell1 and Glenn R. Ryder2 12511 Kilgary Place, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8N 1J6 22302 ‒ 2888 273rd Street, Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada V4W 3M6 From the late 19th century through the mid-20th through 9 January 1946 (Munro and Cowan 1947). century, Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope; Figure The species was reported during this period between 9 1) was considered an “Occasional visitant to coast January and 30 March (10 records) and on 30 October waters” (Brooks and Swarth 1925:32), becoming and 5 December. Ten of the records (75%) occurred a “Regular winter visitant to the coast” of British in January and February (Munro and Cowan 1947), Columbia (Munro and Cowan 1947:63). The latter the height of the winter season. Surprisingly, most status was based on 12 records of males collected occurrences were from southeastern Vancouver Island or sighted during the 48-year period from the first (75%) and not the adjacent southwest mainland coast provincial record in February 1898 (Kermode 1904) where huge flocks of American Wigeon (A. americana) Figure 1. Almost all records of Eurasian Wigeon in British Columbia are of males, as the females of this and the congeneric American Wigeon are difficult to separate in the field. One of the earliest provincial records was from Esquimalt Lagoon on 25 February 1934 where this male was photographed there 71 years later on 19 February 2005. Photo by Mark Nyhof 10:1 June 2013 38 overwinter (Campbell et al. -
Comparison of Swamp Forest and Phragmites Australis
COMPARISON OF SWAMP FOREST AND PHRAGMITES AUSTRALIS COMMUNITIES AT MENTOR MARSH, MENTOR, OHIO A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree Master of Science in the Graduate School of the Ohio State University By Jenica Poznik, B. S. ***** The Ohio State University 2003 Master's Examination Committee: Approved by Dr. Craig Davis, Advisor Dr. Peter Curtis Dr. Jeffery Reutter School of Natural Resources ABSTRACT Two intermixed plant communities within a single wetland were studied. The plant community of Mentor Marsh changed over a period of years beginning in the late 1950’s from an ash-elm-maple swamp forest to a wetland dominated by Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel. Causes cited for the dieback of the forest include salt intrusion from a salt fill near the marsh, influence of nutrient runoff from the upland community, and initially higher water levels in the marsh. The area studied contains a mixture of swamp forest and P. australis-dominated communities. Canopy cover was examined as a factor limiting the dominance of P. australis within the marsh. It was found that canopy openness below 7% posed a limitation to the dominance of P. australis where a continuous tree canopy was present. P. australis was also shown to reduce diversity at sites were it dominated, and canopy openness did not fully explain this reduction in diversity. Canopy cover, disturbance history, and other environmental factors play a role in the community composition and diversity. Possible factors to consider in restoring the marsh are discussed. KEYWORDS: Phragmites australis, invasive species, canopy cover, Mentor Marsh ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A project like this is only possible in a community, and more people have contributed to me than I can remember. -
Evaluation of Approaches for Mapping Tidal Wetlands of the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays
remote sensing Article Evaluation of Approaches for Mapping Tidal Wetlands of the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays Brian T. Lamb 1,2,* , Maria A. Tzortziou 1,3 and Kyle C. McDonald 1,2,4 1 Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA; [email protected] (M.A.T.); [email protected] (K.C.M.) 2 Earth and Environmental Sciences Program, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA 3 NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA 4 Carbon Cycle and Ecosystems Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 1 July 2019; Accepted: 3 October 2019; Published: 12 October 2019 Abstract: The spatial extent and vegetation characteristics of tidal wetlands and their change are among the biggest unknowns and largest sources of uncertainty in modeling ecosystem processes and services at the land-ocean interface. Using a combination of moderate-high spatial resolution ( 30 meters) optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imagery, we evaluated several ≤ approaches for mapping and characterization of wetlands of the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. Sentinel-1A, Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR), PALSAR-2, Sentinel-2A, and Landsat 8 imagery were used to map wetlands, with an emphasis on mapping tidal marshes, inundation extents, and functional vegetation classes (persistent vs. non-persistent). We performed initial characterizations at three target wetlands study sites with distinct geomorphologies, hydrologic characteristics, and vegetation communities. -
Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States
Pfego-/6^7fV SDMS DocID 463450 ^7'7/ Biological Services Program \ ^ FWS/OBS-79/31 DECEMBER 1979 Superfund Records Center ClassificaHioFF^^^ V\Aetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States KPHODtKtD BY NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFOR/V^ATION SERVICE U.S. IKPARTMEN TOF COMMERCt SPRINGMflO, VA. 22161 Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Department of the Interior (USDI) C # The Biological Services Program was established within the U.S. Fish . and Wildlife Service to supply scientific information and methodologies on key environmental issues which have an impact on fish and wildlife resources and their supporting ecosystems. The mission of the Program is as follows: 1. To strengthen the Fish and Wildlife Service in its role as a primary source of Information on natural fish and wildlife resources, par ticularly with respect to environmental impact assessment. 2. To gather, analyze, and present information that will aid decision makers in the identification and resolution of problems asso ciated with major land and water use changes. 3. To provide better ecological information and evaluation for Department of the Interior development programs, such as those relating to energy development. Information developed by the Biological Services Program is intended for use in the planning and decisionmaking process, to prevent or minimize the impact of development on fish and wildlife. Biological Services research activities and technical assistance services are based on an analysis of the issues, the decisionmakers involved and their information neeids, and an evaluation of the state^f-the-art to Identify information gaps and determine priorities. This Is a strategy to assure that the products produced and disseminated will be timely and useful. -
Draft Wetland Mapping Standard
FGDC Working Draft Wetland Mapping Standard FGDC Wetland Subcommittee and Wetland Mapping Standard Workgroup Submitted by: Margarete Heber Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water Date: March 26, 2007 Federal Geographic Data Committee Wetland Mapping Standard Table of Contents 1 Introduction................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background.......................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Objective.............................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Scope.................................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Applicability ........................................................................................................ 4 1.5 FGDC Standards and Other Related Practices..................................................... 4 1.6 Standard Development Procedures and Representation ...................................... 5 1.7 Maintenance Authority ........................................................................................ 5 2 FGDC requirements and Quality components............................................................ 6 2.1 Source Imagery .................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Classification....................................................................................................... -
NATIONAL WETLANDS INVENTORY and the NATIONAL WETLANDS RESEARCH CENTER PROJECT REPORT FOR: GALVESTON BAY INTRODUCTION the U.S. Fi
NATIONAL WETLANDS INVENTORY AND THE NATIONAL WETLANDS RESEARCH CENTER PROJECT REPORT FOR: GALVESTON BAY INTRODUCTION The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's National Wetlands Inventory is producing maps showing the location and classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. The Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States by Cowardin et al. is the classification system used to define and classify wetlands. Upland classification will utilize the system put forth in., A Land Use and Land Cover Classification System For Use With Remote Sensor Data. by James R. Anderson, Ernest E. Hardy, John T. Roach, and Richard E. Witmer. Photo interpretation conventions, hydric soils-lists and wetland plants lists are also available to enhance the use and application of the classification system. The purpose of the report to users is threefold: (1) to provide localized information regarding the production of NWI maps, including field reconnaissance with a discussion of imagery and interpretation; (2) to provide a descriptive crosswalk from wetland codes on the map to common names and representative plant species; and (3) to explain local geography, climate, and wetland communities. II. FIELD RECONNAISSANCE Field reconnaissance of the work area is an integral part for the accurate interpretation of aerial photography. Photographic signatures are compared to the wetland's appearance in the field by observing vegetation, soil and topography. Thus information is weighted for seasonality and conditions existing at the time of photography and at ground truthing. Project Area The project area is located in the southeastern portion of Texas along the coast. Ground truthing covered specific quadrangles of each 1:100,000 including Houston NE, Houston SE, Houston NW, and Houston SW (See Appendix A, Locator Map). -
Appendix B Wells Harbor Ecology (Materials from the Wells NERR)
APPENDICES Appendix B Wells Harbor Ecology (materials from the Wells NERR) CHAPTER 8 Vegetation Caitlin Mullan Crain lants are primary producers that use photosynthesis ter). In this chapter, we will describe what these vegeta- to convert light energy into carbon. Plants thus form tive communities look like, special plant adaptations for Pthe base of all food webs and provide essential nutrition living in coastal habitats, and important services these to animals. In coastal “biogenic” habitats, the vegetation vegetative communities perform. We will then review also engineers the environment, and actually creates important research conducted in or affiliated with Wells the habitat on which other organisms depend. This is NERR on the various vegetative community types, giving particularly apparent in coastal marshes where the plants a unique view of what is known about coastal vegetative themselves, by trapping sediments and binding the communities of southern Maine. sediment with their roots, create the peat base and above- ground structure that defines the salt marsh. The plants OASTAL EGETATION thus function as foundation species, dominant C V organisms that modify the physical environ- Macroalgae ment and create habitat for numerous dependent Algae, commonly known as seaweeds, are a group of organisms. Other vegetation types in coastal non-vascular plants that depend on water for nutrient systems function in similar ways, particularly acquisition, physical support, and seagrass beds or dune plants. Vegetation is reproduction. Algae are therefore therefore important for numerous reasons restricted to living in environ- including transforming energy to food ments that are at least occasionally sources, increasing biodiversity, and inundated by water. -
Waterfowl Management in Georgia
WATERFOWL MANAGEMENT IN GEORGIA PREFACE & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Wildlife biologists serving on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Waterfowl Committee prepared the information found here. It is intended to serve as a source of general information for those with a casual interest in waterfowl. It also serves as a more detailed guide for landowners and managers who want to improve the waterfowl habitat on their property. The committee hopes this information will serve to benefit the waterfowl resource in Georgia and help to ensure its well- being for generations to come. Land management assistance is available from Wildlife Resources Division biologists. For additional help, contact the nearest Game Management Section office. Game Management Offices Region I Armuchee (706) 295-6041 Region II Gainesville (770) 535-5700 Region III Thomson (706) 595-4222 Region III Thomson (Augusta) (706) 667-4672 Region IV Fort Valley (478) 825-6354 Region V Albany (229) 430-4254 Region VI Fitzgerald (229) 426-5267 Region VII Brunswick (912) 262-3173 * Headquarters (770) 918-6416 We would like to express our appreciation to Carroll Allen and Dan Forster of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for providing editorial comments. AUTHORS: Greg Balkcom, Senior Wildlife Biologist Ted Touchstone, Wildlife Biologist Kent Kammermeyer, Senior Wildlife Biologist Vic Vansant, Regional Wildlife Supervisor Carmen Martin, Wildlife Biologist Mike Van Brackle, Wildlife Biologist George Steele, Wildlife Biologist John Bowers, Senior Wildlife Biologist The Department of Natural Resources is an equal opportunity employer and offers all persons the opportunity to compete and participate in areas of employment regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, handicap, or other non-merit factors. -
Waterfowl in Iowa, Overview
STATE OF IOWA 1977 WATERFOWL IN IOWA By JACK W MUSGROVE Director DIVISION OF MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES STATE HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT and MARY R MUSGROVE Illustrated by MAYNARD F REECE Printed for STATE CONSERVATION COMMISSION DES MOINES, IOWA Copyright 1943 Copyright 1947 Copyright 1953 Copyright 1961 Copyright 1977 Published by the STATE OF IOWA Des Moines Fifth Edition FOREWORD Since the origin of man the migratory flight of waterfowl has fired his imagination. Undoubtedly the hungry caveman, as he watched wave after wave of ducks and geese pass overhead, felt a thrill, and his dull brain questioned, “Whither and why?” The same age - old attraction each spring and fall turns thousands of faces skyward when flocks of Canada geese fly over. In historic times Iowa was the nesting ground of countless flocks of ducks, geese, and swans. Much of the marshland that was their home has been tiled and has disappeared under the corn planter. However, this state is still the summer home of many species, and restoration of various areas is annually increasing the number. Iowa is more important as a cafeteria for the ducks on their semiannual flights than as a nesting ground, and multitudes of them stop in this state to feed and grow fat on waste grain. The interest in waterfowl may be observed each spring during the blue and snow goose flight along the Missouri River, where thousands of spectators gather to watch the flight. There are many bird study clubs in the state with large memberships, as well as hundreds of unaffiliated ornithologists who spend much of their leisure time observing birds. -
Relationships Among Fish Assemblages, Hydroperiods
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports 2011 Relationships among fish assemblages, hydroperiods, drought, and American alligators within palustrine wetlands of the Blackjack Peninsula, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas Darrin M. Welchert West Virginia University Follow this and additional works at: https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd Recommended Citation Welchert, Darrin M., "Relationships among fish assemblages, hydroperiods, drought, and American alligators within palustrine wetlands of the Blackjack Peninsula, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas" (2011). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 3328. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/3328 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by the The Research Repository @ WVU with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you must obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in WVU Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports collection by an authorized administrator of The Research Repository @ WVU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Relationships among fish assemblages, hydroperiods, drought, and American alligators within palustrine wetlands of the Blackjack Peninsula, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas Darrin M. Welchert Thesis submitted to the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Design at West Virginia University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Stuart A. -
Ecology of Freshwater and Estuarine Wetlands: an Introduction
ONE Ecology of Freshwater and Estuarine Wetlands: An Introduction RebeCCA R. SHARITZ, DAROLD P. BATZER, and STeveN C. PENNINGS WHAT IS A WETLAND? WHY ARE WETLANDS IMPORTANT? CHARACTERISTicS OF SeLecTED WETLANDS Wetlands with Predominantly Precipitation Inputs Wetlands with Predominately Groundwater Inputs Wetlands with Predominately Surface Water Inputs WETLAND LOSS AND DeGRADATION WHAT THIS BOOK COVERS What Is a Wetland? The study of wetland ecology can entail an issue that rarely Wetlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and needs consideration by terrestrial or aquatic ecologists: the aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or need to define the habitat. What exactly constitutes a wet- near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. land may not always be clear. Thus, it seems appropriate Wetlands must have one or more of the following three to begin by defining the wordwetland . The Oxford English attributes: (1) at least periodically, the land supports predominately hydrophytes; (2) the substrate is pre- Dictionary says, “Wetland (F. wet a. + land sb.)— an area of dominantly undrained hydric soil; and (3) the substrate is land that is usually saturated with water, often a marsh or nonsoil and is saturated with water or covered by shallow swamp.” While covering the basic pairing of the words wet water at some time during the growing season of each year. and land, this definition is rather ambiguous. Does “usu- ally saturated” mean at least half of the time? That would This USFWS definition emphasizes the importance of omit many seasonally flooded habitats that most ecolo- hydrology, soils, and vegetation, which you will see is a gists would consider wetlands. -
2019 Waterfowl Population Status Survey
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Waterfowl Population Status, 2019 Waterfowl Population Status, 2019 August 19, 2019 In the United States the process of establishing hunting regulations for waterfowl is conducted annually. This process involves a number of scheduled meetings in which information regarding the status of waterfowl is presented to individuals within the agencies responsible for setting hunting regulations. In addition, the proposed regulations are published in the Federal Register to allow public comment. This report includes the most current breeding population and production information available for waterfowl in North America and is a result of cooperative eforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), various state and provincial conservation agencies, and private conservation organizations. In addition to providing current information on the status of populations, this report is intended to aid the development of waterfowl harvest regulations in the United States for the 2020–2021 hunting season. i Acknowledgments Waterfowl Population and Habitat Information: The information contained in this report is the result of the eforts of numerous individuals and organizations. Principal contributors include the Canadian Wildlife Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state wildlife conservation agencies, provincial conservation agencies from Canada, and Direcci´on General de Conservaci´on Ecol´ogica de los Recursos Naturales, Mexico. In addition, several conservation organizations, other state and federal agencies, universities, and private individuals provided information or cooperated in survey activities. Appendix A.1 provides a list of individuals responsible for the collection and compilation of data for the “Status of Ducks” section of this report.