Waterbird and Wetland Monitoring at The Emiquon Preserve Annual Report 2016

Hine, Christopher S.; Hagy, Heath M.; Yetter, Aaron P.; Osborn, Joshua M.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/100149 Copy

Description

Title

Waterbird and Wetland Monitoring at The Emiquon Preserve Annual Report 2016

Author(s)

• Hine, Christopher S.
• Hagy, Heath M.
• Yetter, Aaron P.
• Osborn, Joshua M.

Issue Date

2017-06-30

Keyword(s)

• Emiquon
• waterbirds
• waterfowl
• wetlands

Abstract

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) identified key ecological attributes (hereafter, KEAs) of specific biological characteristics or ecological processes that could indicate restoration success and trajectory at the Emiquon Preserve (hereafter Emiquon; The Nature Conservancy 2006). Because of the historic importance of the Illinois River valley to waterfowl and other waterbirds, several conservation targets and associated KEAs at Emiquon were related to waterbird communities and their habitats (Appendix A). Inde ed, use of wetlands by waterbirds may serve as an indicator of landscape condition or a measure of restoration success (Austin et al. 2001, Gawlik 2006). Therefore, we monitored the response of wetland vegetation and waterbirds to restoration efforts at Emiquon during 2016 to evaluate restoration success relative to desired conditions under the relevant KEAs. Our primary efforts included evaluating: 1) abundance, diversity, and behavior of waterfowl and other waterbirds through autumn aerial counts and spring ground counts; 2) productivity by waterfowl and other waterbirds through brood counts and nest searches; 3) plant seed biomass to estimate energetic carrying capacity for waterfowl during autumn migration; 4) biomass of wetland plants and seeds emigrating from Emiquon through the water control structure; and 5) composition and arrangement of wetland vegetation communities and associated cover types through geospatial covermapping and soil properties in response to water management. Herein, we report results of our monitoring efforts and interpret them as a means of evaluating restoration activities at Emiquon with respect to desired conditions under the KEAs.

Publisher

Illinois Natural History Survey

Series/Report Name or Number

Technical Report INHS 2017 (22)

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/100149

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

The Nature Conservancy Contract Number: C07-032

Copyright and License Information

This document is a product of the Illinois Natural History Survey, and has been selected and made available by the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is intended solely for noncommercial research and educational use, and proper attribution is requested.

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