Landscape-level correlates of mallard duckling survival: Implications for conservation programs

Despite recent work, uncertainty remains concerning how abiotic and biotic factors affect duckling survival. Additionally, upland habitat characteristics may affect duckling survival rates but this potential relationship has largely been ignored. We evaluated several unresolved hypotheses about caus...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of wildlife management 2012-05, Vol.76 (4), p.813-823
Main Authors: Bloom, Pauline M., Clark, Robert G., Howerter, David W., Armstrong, Llwellyn M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
A priori knowledge
Anas platyrhynchos
Animal reproduction
Biotic factors
broods
duckling survival
Ducklings
Ducks
Emergent vegetation
Female animals
habitat management
habitat use
Habitat utilization
Habitats
Highlands
Landscape
landscape composition
mallard
Population Ecology
Prairie Pothole Region
Prairies
Survival
Weather
wetland
Wetlands
Wildfowl
Wildlife
Wildlife conservation
Wildlife management
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Summary:Despite recent work, uncertainty remains concerning how abiotic and biotic factors affect duckling survival. Additionally, upland habitat characteristics may affect duckling survival rates but this potential relationship has largely been ignored. We evaluated several unresolved hypotheses about causes of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) duckling survival variation, with an emphasis on assessing effects of managed and remnant natural upland habitats. During 1993-2000, 617 radio-marked females provided information about brood habitat use and duckling survival on 27 sites in prairie Canada. We contrasted a priori and exploratory models that incorporated effects of upland, wetland, weather, female, and brood-related variables on duckling survival rates. Survival was highest for ducklings when a greater proportion of their surrounding landscape (i. e., within a 500-m radius buffer around the brood) was comprised of wetlands characterized by a central expanse of open water and a peripheral ring of flooded emergent vegetation. Cold and wet weather in the first week of life resulted in lower duckling survival. In a post hoc analysis, duckling survival (of older ducklings) was negatively related to increasing proportions of managed hayland.
ISSN:0022-541X
1937-2817
DOI:10.1002/jwmg.297