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Shorebird habitat availability assessment of agricultural fields using a digital aerial video system

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Abstract

Field and wetland conditions in the rice prairies of Louisiana and Texas are highly dynamic habitats. Rice prairies are important habitat for many species of migratory birds, including shorebirds, wading birds, and waterfowl. Ground sampling a variety of fields to assess habitat availability is very labor intensive, and accessibility to private lands makes statistical habitat sampling almost impossible. Aerial video is a tool we can use for assessing availability of these highly ephemeral habitats because of the short-duration repeatability of the surveys. The strong statistical basis of line transect theory allows quantitative estimation of habitat availability. We used ground surveys of field conditions and shorebird ground counts to correlate spectral signatures with shorebird habitat availability. This video system can also be used to identify and map distribution of invasive plant species known to affect suitability of stopover habitat for shorebirds and landbirds.

Study Area

Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Shorebird habitat availability assessment of agricultural fields using a digital aerial video system
Volume 2
Year Published 2005
Language English
Publisher U.S. Department of Agriculture
Contributing office(s) National Wetlands Research Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Description 6 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Conference publication
Larger Work Title Bird Conservation Implementation and Integration in the Americas: Proceedings of the Third International Partners in Flight Conference
First page 854
Last page 859
Conference Title Third International Partners in Flight Conference
Conference Location Asilomar, CA
Conference Date March 20-24, 2005
Country United States
State Louisiana
Other Geospatial Mermentau River basin
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