A biological mechanism for enhanced wading bird foraging patches in seasonally-pulsed wetlands

• Other Authors: Faughnan, Thomas J. (author)
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Florida Atlantic University
• Subjects: Wading birds.; Wetland ecology.; American alligator.
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013060

In tropical wetlands, breeding wading birds rely on concentrations of aquatic fauna during the dry season to meet increased energetic demands. Wetland microtopography increases aquatic fauna concentration levels. Crocodilians modify the landscape creating deep-water refugia but their role as a mechanism for aquatic fauna concentration is unknown. I sampled alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) abundance and slough microtopography to examine correlation between the two measures. Despite increased microtopography in high alligator use sloughs, the differences were not significant. Using an in situ experimental approach, I quantified the magnitude, timing, and spatial extent of aquatic fauna concentrations within simulated alligator depressions and the surrounding marsh. Aquatic fauna density and biomass were greater within simulated depressions, thus enhancing wading bird foraging habitat. Further understanding the mechanisms creating microtopography, thus enhancing wading bird habitat, is critical to facilitate restoration and prevent declines of wading bird populations in seasonally pulsed wetlands worldwide. === Includes bibliography. === Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. === FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection