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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Research Needs
TITLE: Integrated
Migratory Bird Research in the Mississippi River Alluvial
Valley
SUBMITTING BUREAU: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Originating Office: Region 3
DATE SUBMITTED: May 22, 1996
BIN NUMBER: FWS11CR98
BRD REGION: Central
DESCRIPTION OF NEED: Continue and increase BRD support for an integrated migratory bird plan and estimates of migratory carrying capacities for the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV). Several aspects of this research need have been initiated, but efforts need to be continued and funded for several more years. The needs include:
A. Determine the role of foraging habitat as a limiting factor of wintering waterfowl and shorebirds, including estimates of foraging capabilities of different habitat types within the MAV.
B. Develop a GIS-based forest fragmentation database for area-sensitive song-bird species and test assumptions about optimal sizes.
C. Improve to census and estimate shorebird numbers in the MAV.
D. Scientific information/procedures are needed to quantify impacts of managing private agricultural lands (winter water) on water quality and waterfowl/shorebird use.
MANAGEMENT PROBLEM WITH NEED: These projects will allow integrated conservation program(s) on private and public lands to be meshed in a manner that reduces forest fragmentation; supports foraging needs associated with the North American Waterfowl Management Plan; and restores hydrology and natural and cropped wetlands with benefits to waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds. Some aspects of the research are underway at Vicksburg, MS via BRD and FWS personnel stationed in this vicinity.
BUREAU CONTACT: Charles Baxter (601) 629-6600
BRD PRIMARY CENTER: NWRC
BRD CENTER CONTACT: Clint Jeske
RESULTS OF BRD-INITIATED COMMUNICATION (FY99): Dr. Clint Jeske, Principle Investigator, contacted Frank Bowers, FWS Region 4 Migratory Bird coordinator in August to discuss status of ongoing research regarding this BIN. Jeske reported on the schedule to initiate field observations on migratory shorebirds at selected study sites in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. From August to November of 1998, Jeske collected data on species composition, timing of migration and population sizes of shorebirds using the Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge area and adjacent wetlands. This work was closely coordinated with Eric Sipco, Manager, Catahoula NWR. A presentation on project status was delivered to representatives of the USFWS and membership of the Catahoula Lake Conservation League.
DATE SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL OFFICE: December 18, 1998
PREPARED BY: Dr. Clinton W. Jeske, USGS, BRD, National Wetlands Research Center, 700 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70506, (318)266-8652, clint_jeske@usgs.gov
RESULTS OF BRD-INITIATED COMMUNICATION (FY98):
Contacts:
Dan Twedt, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Ken Reinecke, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Wylie Barrow, National Wetlands Research Center
Frank Bowers, Region 4, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Charles Baxter, Region 4, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Ray Aycock, Region 4, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Bill Vermillion, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Actions:
Discussions with Charles Baxter, Frank Bowers, and Ray Aycock, all of Region 4, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, confirmed that this BIN remains a research priority. The Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture met in Arkansas at the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies meeting to discuss actions and information needs for the Joint Venture. Providing suitable habitat to maintain avian population goals remains the main task of the Joint Venture.
Dan Twedt, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, has initiated research to address habitat needs of neotropical migrants in the Lower Mississippi Valley (LMV). Research is focusing on nesting habitat and factors limiting production in different forest patch sizes.
Wylie Barrow, National Wetlands Research Center, is completing a study of habitat use by neotropical migratory birds in bottomland hardwoods in the LMV. Data is being analyzed from this study.
Ken Reinecke, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, is completing a project evaluating the importance of private lands in providing habitat for wintering waterfowl. This study will demonstrate the importance of private land management for maintenance of target waterfowl populations.
Clinton Jeske, National Wetlands Research Center, has initiated field studies to determine habitat requirements to support the Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture’s target population of shorebirds migrating through the region after breeding. This study will assist with determination of quantity and types of habitats which need to be managed for migrating shorebirds.
DATE SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL OFFICE: December 5, 1997
PREPARED BY: Clinton W. Jeske, National Wetlands Research Center, 700 Cajundome Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70506, E-mail: clint_jeske@usgs.gov
U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://biology.usgs.gov/cro/98fws-11.htm
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