Winter Waterbird Community Composition and Use at Created Wetlands in West Virginia, USA

Abstract

Information on nonbreeding waterbirds using created wetlands in the Central Appalachian region of the United States is limited. We compared waterbird communities of two managed wetlands, created in 2013 and 2001, in West Virginia. We observed 27 species of waterbirds. Species richness and diversity were generally similar between the wetlands, but species composition and use differed. Branta canadensis (Canada Geese), Anas strepera (Gadwall), Bucephala albeola (Buffleheads), Aythya affinis (Lesser Scaup), and Aythya collaris (Ring-Necked Ducks) used the older wetland most frequently. Disparities in species use were the highest in March. The older wetland differed from the younger in supporting species such as diving ducks, possibly due to differences in size, vegetation, water depth, and microtopography. However, the ability to provide habitat for waterbirds during the winter was determined to be comparable between wetlands, despite their age difference.

A comparison of wetland characteristics between Agricultural Conservation Easement Program and public lands wetlands in West Virginia, USA

“…Therefore, programs such as ACEP that restore wetlands on agricultural lands is an important tool in regaining previously lost wetland cover. Previous research evaluating specific wetland characteristics in West Virginia compared naturally occurring wetlands with wetlands created through mitigation or occurred on only a small subsample of ACEP sites (Balcombe, Anderson, Fortney, & Kordek, , ; Balcombe et al, ; Clipp, Peters, & Anderson, ; Strain, Turk, & Anderson, ). Additionally, past wetland research compared actively and passively managed wetlands (Anderson & Smith, , ; Fleming et al, ; Kaminski, Baldassarre, & Pearse, ; O'Neal, Heske, & Strafford, ).…”

Wintering American Black Duck Ecology of Central Appalachia

“…Choosing habitats that provide relief from winter weather is vital to the thermoregulation, and ultimately survival, of wintering birds, yet black duck DEE has not been measured in relation to different environments (Calder andKing 1974, Longcore and. While some research has been conducted on wetland productivity and wildlife communities in West Virginia and western Pennsylvania where a portion of the overall black duck population resides during both migratory and wintering periods (Balcombe et al 2005a, Balcombe et al 2005b, Veselka et al 2010, Clipp et al 2017, important wintering habitat for black ducks has not been intensively examined in this region. With differences in behaviors, habitat use and availability, and weather patterns, it is important to calculate daily energy expenditure separately for Appalachian-wintering black ducks to better inform estimations of regional carrying capacity.…”

Wetland Characteristics and Wintering Passerellidae Occupancy on Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Wetlands in West Virginia

“…However their ability to do so has never been evaluated. Previous research evaluating specific wetland characteristics in West Virginia has focused on wetlands created through mitigation, or has occurred on a small subsample of ACEP sites , Clipp et al 2017. Additionally, past wetland research has compared actively and passively managed wetlands , Fleming et al 2015, O'Neal et al 2008) but most ACEP wetlands in West Virginia are passively managed.…”

“…While wetlands act as important wintering habitat for avian species, over 50% of wetlands in North America have been lost to drainage and development . Remaining wetlands are often exposed to agricultural runoff and physical impacts from livestock grazing and continue to be lost to urban and residential development between one ACEP and one reference wetland, or mitigated wetlands , Clipp et al 2017. Generally, studies comparing wetlands occur on unmanaged and managed wetlands , Fleming et al 2015, O'Neal et al 2008.…”

“…By comparing avian use of private ACEP wetlands to public wetlands we are studying an overlooked source of wetland habitat. Additionally, many wetland-based studies occur in the summer, which has created a research gap in winter-wetland information (Clipp et al 2017). A study comparing ACEP wetlands located in West Virginia to wetlands located on public land provides a means of assessing ACEP wetland wildlife habitat against another important source of wetland wildlife habitat.…”