A Wetland Habitat Assessment Method using Birds

by Virgil Brack, Jr., WAPORA Inc, Cincinnati, OH, USA,
Virgil R. Holmes, WAPORA Inc, Cincinnati, OH, USA,
Ted T. Cable, WAPORA Inc, Cincinnati, OH, USA,
Gene K. Hess, WAPORA Inc, Cincinnati, OH, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '87

Abstract:

A wetland habitat assessment technique (HAT) using birds as indicators of habitat quality was developed from the method of V. R. Holmes et al. , (1986) and J. W. Graber and R. R. Graber (1976). The technique is quick, easy, and inexpensive, lending itself to screening large numbers of wetlands. Screening may be required to: (1) select between a large number of alternates for a development, (2) deal with the volume of site decisions encountered by permitting agencies, and (3) select areas for preservation from a large pool of potential sites. HAT can provide input to more exhaustive techniques such as FHWA or HEP. The technique incorporates both biological value of species diversity and the human value of rareness. Applying the theory of island biography, HAT incorporates the 'real world' interplay of ecology and economics. A field test of HAT, and the basis for adapting HAT to any region or habitat type or for using other organisms as indicators, is provided.

Subject Headings: Wetlands (fresh water) | Wetlands (coastal) | Site investigation | Quality control | Field tests | Ecosystems | Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA)

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search