AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Experimental Manipulation of Water Table and Grazing Pressure as a Tool for Developing and Maintaining Habitat Diversity for Waterbirds

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2010
Authors:Voslamber, B, J. Vulink, T
Journal:Ardea
Volume:98
Issue:3
Date Published:2010
ISBN Number:0373-2266
Keywords:Anatidae, Mergellus, Mergellus albellus, Mergus, Mergus albellus, Netherlands, Platalea, Platalea leucorodia, Threskiornithidae
Abstract:The relationship between reed Phragmites australis cover of ditches and habitat use by marshland birds was studied in an experimental area of the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve in The Netherlands. Water table and grazing by cattle and horses had an important impact on the development of P. australis in ditches and pools, resulting in three different types of habitat: deep open water, shallow open water and shallow water with P. australis vegetation. Shallow water bodies with a reed cover of less than 10% were most frequently visited by foraging Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, Smew Mergellus albellus, herons, ducks, waders and rails. Breeding grebes and marshland passerines, however, preferred parts with more reed cover. It is concluded that the creation of shallow water bodies, together with adjusted water table management and grazing pressure are suitable tools for restoring habitats preferred by marshland birds.The relationship between reed Phragmites australis cover of ditches and habitat use by marshland birds was studied in an experimental area of the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve in The Netherlands. Water table and grazing by cattle and horses had an important impact on the development of P. australis in ditches and pools, resulting in three different types of habitat: deep open water, shallow open water and shallow water with P. australis vegetation. Shallow water bodies with a reed cover of less than 10% were most frequently visited by foraging Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, Smew Mergellus albellus, herons, ducks, waders and rails. Breeding grebes and marshland passerines, however, preferred parts with more reed cover. It is concluded that the creation of shallow water bodies, together with adjusted water table management and grazing pressure are suitable tools for restoring habitats preferred by marshland birds.
URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.5253/078.098.0307
Short Title:Ardea
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith