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Launched
in 1995, the Marsh Monitoring Program (MMP) is a binational, volunteer-based
survey of wetland birds and amphibians that monitors inland and
coastal wetlands across the Great Lakes basin. The program contributes
to several national and international conservation and monitoring
initiatives (e.g. Great Lakes Remedial Action Plans, SOLEC indicators,
continental marsh bird monitoring development).
This proposal seeks Wildlife Habitat
Canada support to complete stages 2 and 3 of an existing marshbird
habitat research project. Completed in March 2001, Stage 1 was supported
by WHC and enabled Bird Studies Canada to undertake complex, initial
model exploration and development (Kirk et al. 2001). Using four
years of standardized MMP survey data (1997-2000), representing
about 1500 sample stations from across the Great Lakes basin, Stage
2 of the project involves cross-validating and refining the initial
predictive models that were developed in Stage 1. Based upon these
results, prescriptive wetland habitat management guidelines will
be produced and made available to wetland managers.
The following will be completed:
1) Evaluate
and Refine Habitat Association Models:
We will use additional years of MMP
data (spanning from 1997-2000) to evaluate the predictive capabilities
of our current marshbird habitat association models. In so doing,
we will evaluate how temporal variation in year-specific predictive
models influences the predictive precision of any given year-specific
model. After accounting for year-to-year variation, the models will
be refined and habitat preferences of both individual and suites
of marshbird species will be quantitatively defined.
2) Develop and Produce Wetland Habitat
Guidelines for Marshbirds: Based upon the above, the end result
will be the development of model-derived optimal prescriptive habitat
management guidelines for marshbird species and species assemblages
in the Great Lakes basin.
3) Disseminate Project Results: Results
of the research will be submitted for publication in the scientific
peer-reviewed literature and will be presented at scientific conferences.
Additional reporting tools will more broadly disseminate project
results, particularly prescriptive wetland habitat management guidelines
and recommendations, to wetland managers who are involved in wetland
restoration, creation and/or habitat management.
For more information on this project, please contact Steve Timmermans,
Aquatic Surveys Scientist, Bird Studies Canada, Port Rowan, Ontario.
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