Mapping Marsh Marvels: A GIS Approach to Locating Least Bittern Habitat in Northwestern Pennsylvania

Manning, Emmett

Mapping Marsh Marvels: A GIS Approach to Locating Least Bittern Habitat in Northwestern Pennsylvania

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10456/57567

Author(s)

Manning, Emmett

Date Issued

April 16, 2024

Abstract

As the smallest member of the heron family, the Least Bittern is often overlooked and pushed aside as not as important as these other species. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Playing a direct role in their native ecosystems these birds provide the ever-important ecosystem functions of nutrient cycling and population control. Pushed out of their wetland nesting sights due to urban expansion and resource extraction, this species is losing the fight to human development throughout Pennsylvania. Utilizing GIS this study sought to identify wetlands within the PA Fish and Game Commission Wildlife Management Unit 1B. To do so aerial photography was leveraged to conduct manual delineations separating each wetland by its vegetation type. Utilizing the amount of each vegetation type within the wetlands an analysis was undertaken to produce the likely, possible, and unlikely habitable wetland categories. A resulting map was generated to highlight where and which wetlands were the best for least bittern habitat needs. The resulting data found that 83.7% of wetlands within the study region were unlikely habitable because they were forested wetlands. A recommendation was made for more in-depth research into the likely habitable wetlands to determine exact nest sites. As well as conservation improvements for the unlikely habitable wetlands. Utilizing the resulting data from this study the secretive least bittern habitat can be understood and by using the recommended wetlands can be better monitored to ensure the future of this species' health in Pennsylvania.

Major

Environmental Science and Sustainability

First Reader(s)

Shaffer, Chris