Waterbird and wetland monitoring at the Emiquon Preserve: Annual Report 2014

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

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/88373 Copy

Description

Title

Waterbird and wetland monitoring at the Emiquon Preserve: Annual Report 2014

Author(s)

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

Issue Date

2015-09-03

Keyword(s)

• Emiquon
• wetland restoration
• waterbirds
• waterfowl
• aquatic vegetation
• The Nature Conservancy

Geographic Coverage

Emiquon Preserve, Illinois

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). Indeed, 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 2014to 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; 3) plant seed and invertebrate biomass to estimate energetic carrying capacity for waterfowl during migration and breeding periods;and 4) composition and arrangement of wetland vegetation communities and associated cover types through geospatial cover mapping.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 2015 (21)

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/88373

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

The Nature Conservancy

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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