Geological Survey

Description

The objective of this project is to develop habitat selection models for wading birds in the coastal area of southern Florida. The focal species for this work is the Little Blue Heron with target areas for model development in Florida Bay and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge complex (GWHR). In the 1970s these areas were known to have large wading bird populations, but these populations have since declined. Several factors probably include this decline such as reduction in freshwater flow and nutrient runoff. Although Everglades restoration should restore hydrologic flow of clean water, including appropriate freshwater runoff at the coasts, these habitats face the additional threat of rising sea levels. Changes in water depths and foraging habitat conditions can negatively impact wading birds because of their leg length constraint. Little Blue Herons are likely to be potentially susceptible to such foraging habitat conditions because of their narrow habitat selection preferences.The recipient will provide the resources to conduct habitat selection modeling, including data gathering through field work. The recipient should select study sites appropriate to answer questions of habitat selection for the Little Blue Heron.

Who can apply

• Others

Contact

Faith Graves, 703-648-7356 <br/>fgraves@usgs.gov <br/>
fgraves@usgs.gov