Great Plains Natural Science Society

 

The Prairie Naturalist

Date of this Version

12-2009

Document Type

Article

Citation

The Prairie Naturalist· 41 (3/4): December 2009, pp 89-99

Abstract

Islands can provide secure nesting habitat for ducks and other waterbirds, especially in agriculturally dominated landscapes. I inventoried natural and man-made islands in the portion of North Dakota covered by the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture (PPJV). I mapped 1,305 islands in this area; up to 46% of which could provide enhanced nest success with management (e.g., predator removal or establishment of brushy cover). Management of islands for breeding ducks may be an important method for achieving desired reproductive rates in the PP JV as substantial areas of perennial grass cover are lost from federal conservation programs, primarily the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).

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