Shallow lake management enhanced habitat and attracted waterbirds during fall migration
Shallow lakes are a key resource for waterfowl species, so protecting and restoring these areas is of great importance to managing their populations. This study evaluated the effectiveness of management practices on shallow lakes and their influence on waterbird populations that depend on them. Researchers found that lake management actions increased the abundance of submerged aquatic vegetation and wild rice, which was positively corelated with the waterbird community abundance.
Shallow lakes are bodies of water that are generally less than three feet deep and are important resources for waterbird species such as ducks and swans. Shallow lakes provide food and shelter during many or all phases in a waterbird’s lifetime, so increasing usable refuge for birds is a high priority.
If waterbird habitat and populations decline, wildlife managers may turn their attention towards restoring shallow lakes. When lakes are impaired – for example, by an influx of nutrients, invasive species, or climate change – the aquatic vegetation communities oftentimes decline. Therefore, restoring vegetation and improving lake water quality is a primary focus for rehabilitation efforts. This study examined thirty-two shallow lakes over a ten-year span to determine whether management techniques such as water level drawdowns and invasive species control were improving the water quality of shallow lakes.
With the help of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR), lakes were chosen based on water level management status after waterbird and habitat surveys were conducted. Over six million waterbirds were observed over a ten-year period! Habitat sampling was conducted every three years and included data such as water depth, water chemistry (e.g., total phosphorous), and submerged aquatic vegetation species and abundance.
After management actions, such as a drawdown or invasive carp removal, managed lakes had more submerged aquatic vegetation, higher waterbird counts and diversity, and better habitat conditions when compared to unmanaged lakes. Overall, this study shows the importance of management practices and the implications these practices have for shallow lake ecosystems.
Shallow lakes are a key resource for waterfowl species, so protecting and restoring these areas is of great importance to managing their populations. This study evaluated the effectiveness of management practices on shallow lakes and their influence on waterbird populations that depend on them. Researchers found that lake management actions increased the abundance of submerged aquatic vegetation and wild rice, which was positively corelated with the waterbird community abundance.
Shallow lakes are bodies of water that are generally less than three feet deep and are important resources for waterbird species such as ducks and swans. Shallow lakes provide food and shelter during many or all phases in a waterbird’s lifetime, so increasing usable refuge for birds is a high priority.
If waterbird habitat and populations decline, wildlife managers may turn their attention towards restoring shallow lakes. When lakes are impaired – for example, by an influx of nutrients, invasive species, or climate change – the aquatic vegetation communities oftentimes decline. Therefore, restoring vegetation and improving lake water quality is a primary focus for rehabilitation efforts. This study examined thirty-two shallow lakes over a ten-year span to determine whether management techniques such as water level drawdowns and invasive species control were improving the water quality of shallow lakes.
With the help of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR), lakes were chosen based on water level management status after waterbird and habitat surveys were conducted. Over six million waterbirds were observed over a ten-year period! Habitat sampling was conducted every three years and included data such as water depth, water chemistry (e.g., total phosphorous), and submerged aquatic vegetation species and abundance.
After management actions, such as a drawdown or invasive carp removal, managed lakes had more submerged aquatic vegetation, higher waterbird counts and diversity, and better habitat conditions when compared to unmanaged lakes. Overall, this study shows the importance of management practices and the implications these practices have for shallow lake ecosystems.