Marsh bird response to restored shallow lakes: Implications for future management
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2022-06-08
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Springer Nature
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Natural Resource Ecology and Management
The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management is dedicated to the understanding, effective management, and sustainable use of our renewable natural resources through the land-grant missions of teaching, research, and extension.
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Abstract
The restoration of shallow lakes has the potential to provide habitat for obligate breeding marsh birds, including secretive marsh birds. However, the degree of marsh bird response to wetland restoration may vary over time as prairie wetlands are subject to variation in water depth and vegetation characteristics (e.g., height, density, distribution) because of management and biotic and abiotic factors. We investigated the effects of shallow lake restoration age and habitat covariates on the abundance of 3 secretive marsh bird species and marsh bird species richness at shallow lakes in northern Iowa from 2009–2010 and again from 2016–2017. We found that the interspersion of water and emergent vegetation, shallow lake area, and water depth influenced the abundance of pied-billed grebes (Podilymbus podiceps). Restoration age (β = −0.52, 95% CI = −0.87, −0.18) had a quadratic effect on abundance of pied-billed grebes, peaking at 6 years post-restoration. Percent cattail (β = 1.95, 95% CI = 0.55, 3.35) and restoration age (β = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.14, 0.87) were important predictors for Virginia rail (Rallus limicola) abundance. Species richness was greater at restored shallow lakes ( Rˆ = 2.72, 95% CI = 2.23, 3.23) compared to non-restored shallow lakes ( Rˆ = 3.91, 95% CI = 3.41, 4.56) and at shallow lakes with a greater percentage of cattail ( Rˆ = 2.54, 95% CI = 2.13, 3.07 at 0% cattail to Rˆ = 4.27, 95% CI = 3.47, 5.15 at 100% cattail). Restoration age did not significantly influence least bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) abundance or species richness, but both variables tended to peak between 5 to 8 years after restoration. Our findings illustrate the need to evaluate habitat characteristics of individual shallow lake restorations as they age to inform continued management efforts for breeding marsh birds.
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This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1296.
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