AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Response of Waterbirds to Number of Wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota, U.S.A.

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2003
Authors:Niemuth, ND, SOLBERG, JOHNW
Journal:Waterbirds
Volume:26
Issue:2
Date Published:2003
ISBN Number:1524-4695
Keywords:Anas, Anas acuta, Anatidae, Ardeidae, Botaurus, Botaurus lentiginosus, Botaurus stellaris, Chlidonias, Chlidonias niger, Chlidonias nigra, Dafila acuta, Fulica, Fulica americana, Fulica atra, Laridae, Niger, Podiceps, Podicipedidae, Podilymbus, Podilymbus podiceps, Porzana, Porzana carolina, Rallidae, Sterna nigra
Abstract:Abstract We examined the relationship between number of wetlands and occurrence of five waterbird and one waterfowl species in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota, USA, from 1980-2000. Data from 13 Breeding Bird Survey routes provided an index to regional density and distribution of Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), Black Tern (Chlidonias niger), American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), Northern Pintail (Anas acuta), Sora (Porzana carolina), and American Coot (Fulica americana), while 69 segments from annual Waterfowl Breeding Ground Population and Habitat Surveys provided an index to regional wetland availability. Numbers of wetlands and birds varied among years, and density and distribution of all six species showed a strong positive correlation with number of wetlands. Correlations were weaker when the number of wetlands was lagged one year, suggesting that waterbird distributions shift in response to water availability rather than respond locally. Spatial and temporal variation of waterbird habitat and numbers should be considered in monitoring and management of waterbirds in the Prairie Pothole Region.Abstract We examined the relationship between number of wetlands and occurrence of five waterbird and one waterfowl species in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota, USA, from 1980-2000. Data from 13 Breeding Bird Survey routes provided an index to regional density and distribution of Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), Black Tern (Chlidonias niger), American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), Northern Pintail (Anas acuta), Sora (Porzana carolina), and American Coot (Fulica americana), while 69 segments from annual Waterfowl Breeding Ground Population and Habitat Surveys provided an index to regional wetland availability. Numbers of wetlands and birds varied among years, and density and distribution of all six species showed a strong positive correlation with number of wetlands. Correlations were weaker when the number of wetlands was lagged one year, suggesting that waterbird distributions shift in response to water availability rather than respond locally. Spatial and temporal variation of waterbird habitat and numbers should be considered in monitoring and management of waterbirds in the Prairie Pothole Region.
URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.1675/1524-4695(2003)026[0233:ROWTNO]2.0.CO;2
Short Title:Waterbirds
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith