Black Ducks Active

USGS improves understanding of factors affecting Black Duck populations including:

1. climate change effects on coastal wetlands, and
2. food availability for Black Ducks near FWS Refuges.

USGS is looking at the ability of near shore habitat to support selected waterbirds by studying

1. land development effects on habitat fragmentation and shoreline disturbance, and
2. habitat restoration and recovery of waterbirds.

These USGS studies support decision making for the CBP goal to “enhance and preserve restoring wetland habitats for wintering population of 100,000 Black Duck, a species representative of the health of tidal marshes.”

These studies help the Black Duck Joint Venture (BDJV), Atlantic Coast Joint Venture (ACJV), FWS, and State partners develop and assess actions to restore wetland and near shore habitats supporting Black Ducks and other waterfowl.

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