Identifier

etd-04272010-212919

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Renewable Natural Resources

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The Louisiana Gulf Coast is an important wintering area for North American gadwall (Anas strepera). Conservation of winter habitat is a top priority of the Gulf Coast Joint Venture. Quantitative estimates of habitat use by wintering gadwall would help improve energetic demand models and subsequent estimates of habitat requirements. I used satellite telemetry (PTTs) to estimate winter habitat and refuge uses, spring migration chronology and corridors, as well as inter- and intra-regional winter movements of females. I used a split-plot MANOVA to evaluate the effects of individual females, female age, winter, hunt periods within winter, time of day, and all possible interactions among these explanatory variables on habitat use. I used a mixed model ANOVA to evaluate the effects of individual females, female age, winter, hunt periods within winter, time of day, and all possible interactions of these explanatory variables on refuge use. I used mixed models to evaluate the effects of hunt periods within winter, refuge use, winter, individual female, female age, and body condition at time of capture on intra-regional movements. Finally, I used a MANOVA to evaluate the effects of female age, spring of tracking, and body condition at time of capture on several spring migration parameters. I found that habitat use in winter 2007-08 was dominated by intermediate marsh, whereas habitat use during winter 2008-09 showed an increased dependence on freshwater marsh (P = 0.0001). Use of non-hunted refuges by adult females was greater when hunting season was open than when closed (P = 0.0061). I found no significant relationships among the explanatory variables and intra-regional movements (all Ps > 0.09). Peak migratory departure from the Louisiana Gulf Coast Chenier Plain occurred during late-March to early-April. HY females traveled a greater total migratory distance, spent more days migrating, used more stopovers, and arrived at inferred breeding locations later than did AHY females (all Ps ≤ 0.061). My results suggest that intermediate marsh is important for wintering gadwall; however, freshwater marsh may become important after tidal surge events. Finally, my migration data provides habitat managers with quantitative information to consider when implementing conservation programs and management practices.

Date

2010

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Afton, Alan

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.427

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