Download - WEST GULF COASTAL PLAIN
WEST GULF COASTAL PLAIN
Waterfowl Working Group
Randy Wilson, LMVJV OfficeChad Manlove, DU – Southern Regional OfficeAndrew James, AGFCRich Johnson, AGFCTom Edwards, USFWS – ArkansasAlan Stacey, ODWCJim Neal, USFWS – TexasScott Durham, LDWFPat Stinson, USFWS – MississippiKevin Kraai, TPWDBill Bartush, DU – East Texas
Conserving, Restoring, and Maintaining WGCP Capacity to Winter Mid-Continent Waterfowl Populations
BiologicalFoundation
Identify Species of Concern
Establish Population TargetsDiscern Limiting Factors
Establish Objectives to Counter Limiting Factors
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American Black DuckAmerican WigeonMallardGadwallGreen-winged TealBlue-winged TealNorthern PintailNorthern ShovelerWood DuckMottled Duck
CanvasbackRedheadRing-necked DuckScaup (greater and lesser)Bufflehead
Identify Species of Concern (Wintering)
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Mottled Duck
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Hooded Merganser
Wood Duck
Identify Species of Concern (Breeding)
Conserving, Restoring, and Maintaining WGCP Capacity to Winter Mid-Continent Waterfowl Populations
BiologicalFoundation
Identify Species of Concern
Establish Population TargetsDiscern Limiting FactorsEstablish Objectives to Counter Limiting Factors
North American Waterfowl Management Plan62 Million
Breeding Ducks
What Proportion ofBreeding PopulationUtilizes the WGCP?
Establish Population Targets
Establish Population Targets
Step 1. Winter Distribution of Ducks Among States
Mid-Winter Inventory Data January 1970-79
Step 2. Winter Distribution of Ducks Within States
Harvest Data January 1970-79
Selection of Counties for Calculationof
Waterfowl Population Goals
LMVJV Boundary
WGCP BCR
Questionable Counties
Targetstate = Pstate * PWGCPstate * Goalcontinental
0.85 (winter mortality rate)
Establish Population Targets
ArkansasLouisianaOklahomaTexas
Total
131,050457,53031,560
188,000
808,140
313,8711,300,583
138,544778,393
2,531,391
444,9211,758,113
170,104966,393
3,339,531
StateDabblers & Divers
WoodDucks Total
Conserving, Restoring, and Maintaining WGCP Capacity to Winter Mid-Continent Waterfowl Populations
BiologicalFoundation
Identify Species of ConcernEstablish Population Targets
Discern Limiting FactorsEstablish Objectives to Counter Limiting Factors
Discern Limiting FactorsFactors Limiting Carrying Capacity
Disease
Predation
Environmental Contaminants
Disturbance
HabitatForaging
Non-foraging
Conserving, Restoring, and Maintaining WGCP Capacity to Winter Mid-Continent Waterfowl Populations
BiologicalFoundation
Identify Species of ConcernEstablish Population Targets
Discern Limiting FactorsBiological ModelEstablish Objectives to Counter Limiting Factors
Biological Model
Assume all ducks are Mallard-sized
Assume that ducks stay for 110-day wintering period
Conserving, Restoring, and Maintaining WGCP Capacity to Winter Mid-Continent Waterfowl Populations
BiologicalFoundation
Identify Species of ConcernEstablish Population TargetsDiscern Limiting FactorsBiological ModelEstablish Objectives to Counter Limiting Factors
3.7 kcal/gram
Relating Food Requirements to Foraging Habitat :
292 kcal/day
Harvested Croplands Rice
SoybeansMiloCorn
752121849970
HabitatDuck-Use Days per Acre
Moist-soil Area
Forested Wetlands 50% red oaks
1,386
32180 kg/acre
Establish Objectives to Counter Limiting Factor
Habitat Objectives = 110* winter daysTarget state
Habitat Objectives in Duck-Use Days
Establish Objectives to Counter Limiting Factor
ArkansasLouisianaOklahomaTexas
Total
14,415,50050,328,3003,471,600
20,680,000
88,896,300
34,525,804143,064,069
15,239,75185,623,268
278,452,892
48,941,304193,392,37018,711,351
106,303,268
367,348,293
StateDabblers & Divers
WoodDucks Total
Key Waterfowl Issues
1. Identification of Species of Concern
2. Discern Limiting Factors
3. Establish Population TargetsInclusion / Exclusion of Counties
4. Develop Biological Models
5. Establish Objectives to Counter Limiting Factors6. Measure Existing Conditions (e.g., conduct habitat inventory)
Habitat Inventory
Important Habitat Types in the WGCPBottomland HardwoodsMoist Soil WetlandsAgricultural CropsSubmerged Aquatic Vegetation
What are the current management capabilities onPublic Lands?Private Lands?
Habitat Inventory
How much naturally flooded habitat can be expectedin a given year?
How many acres of open aquatic habitat are available?Ponds (small, medium, large)LakesReservoirs
Current research?Waterfowl Use of stock pondsForaging BehaviorFood Availability
Summary of public lands allocation.
Total Current Acres 6,412Total Current DUD 7,434,541Total Planned Acres 450Total Planned DUD 241,300Total DUD (current+planned) 7,675,841Total DUD Deficit 186,787Moist Soil Acres Needed 135
Allocation of duck-use days in OklahomaDabbler DUD Target = 15,120,439
Habitat Categories Natural Flood Open Aquatic Public Managed Private Managed% Allocation 20% 15% 60% 40%DUDs Needed 3,024,088 2,268,066 5,896,971 3,931,314DUD / acre value 400 400Acres Needed 7,560 5,670Annual Performance 75% 50%DUD Target w/ Perf. 7,862,628 7,862,628Accomplishments 7,434,541 6,972,273DUD Surplus / Deficit -428,087 -890,355DUD / acre value 1,386 693Acres Surplus / Deficit -309 -1,285Note: We used 1/2 the moist-soil energetic value of 1,386 dud/ac on private landsdue to a consensus of poor management practices (food production).
Managed Habitat65%
9,828,285
Allocation of duck-use days in TexasDabbler DUD Target = 53,214,026
Habitat CategoriesNatural Flood Open Aquatic Public Managed MIP MOP
% Allocation 50% 10% 20% 60% 20%DUDs Needed 26,607,013 5,321,403 4,257,122 12,771,366 4,257,122DUD / acre value 400 400Acres Needed 66,518 13,304Annual Performance 75% 75% 50%DUD Target w/ Perf. 5,676,163 17,028,488 8,514,244Accomplishments 2,466,774 4,300,000 13,860,000Planned 2,302,146DUD Surplus / Deficit -907,243 -12,728,488 5,345,756DUD / acre value 1,386 1,386 1,386Acres Surplus / Deficit -655 -9,184 3,857
Managed Habitat40%
21,285,610Private Managed
Summary of public lands allocation.
Total Current Acres 3,061Total Current DUD 2,466,774Total Planned Acres 1,661Total Planned DUD 2,302,146
Total Planned and Current DUD 4,768,920Public lands still needs 907,243 dud (655ac of moist soil)to meet its objective on public lands.
Allocation of duck-use days in LouisianaDabbler DUD Target = 51,093,649
Habitat Categories Natural Flood Open Aquatic Public Managed Private Managed% Allocation 30% 25% 50% 50%DUDs Needed 15,328,095 12,773,412 11,496,071 11,496,071DUD / acre value 400 400Acres Needed 38,320 31,934Annual Performance 75% 50%DUD Target w/ Perf. 15,328,095 22,992,142Accomplishments 7,031,606 3,331,654DUD Surplus / Deficit -8,296,489 -19,660,488DUD / acre value 1,386 693Acres Surplus / Deficit -5,986 -28,370Note: We used 1/2 the moist-soil energetic value of 1,386 dud/ac on private landsdue to a consensus of poor management practices (food production).
Managed Habitat45%
22,992,142
Summary of public lands allocation.
Total Current Acres 5,383Total Current DUD 6,546,506Total Planned Acres 350Total Planned DUD 485,100Total DUD (current+planned) 7,031,606Total DUD Deficit -8,296,489Moist Soil Acres Needed -5,986
Allocation of duck-use days in ArkansasDabbler DUD Target = 32,730,860
Habitat Categories Natural Flood Open Aquatic Public Managed MIP MOP% Allocation 20% 10% 60% 30% 10%DUDs Needed 6,546,172 3,273,086 13,746,961 6,873,481 2,291,160DUD / acre value 400 400Acres Needed 16,365 8,183Annual Performance 75% 75% 50%DUD Target w/ Perf. 18,329,282 9,164,641 4,582,320Accomplishments 13,981,489 10,634,804 27,720,000DUD Surplus / Deficit -4,347,793 1,470,163 23,137,680DUD / acre value 1,386 693 1,386Acres Surplus / Deficit -3,137 2,121 16,694Note: We used 1/2 the moist-soil energetic value of 1,386 dud/ac on private landsdue to a consensus of poor management practices (food production).
Managed Habitat70%
22,911,602
Summary of public lands allocation.
Total Current Acres 48,461Total Current DUD 12,970,111Total Planned Acres 2,023Total Planned DUD 1,011,378Total DUD (current+planned) 13,981,489Total DUD Deficit -4,347,793Moist Soil Acres Needed -3,137