Effects of meteorological conditions on waterfowl population and intake reasons: measured by rehabilitation center data

Hunt, Alexandria

Effects of meteorological conditions on waterfowl population and intake reasons: measured by rehabilitation center data

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10456/57679

Author(s)

Hunt, Alexandria

Date Issued

April 1, 2024

Abstract

Aquatic environments are at great risk because of global climate change and the associated warming of atmospheric temperatures. Freshwater ecosystems are experiencing changes in temperature and volume of water. These fluctuations of physical properties impact organisms that rely on freshwater ecosystems. Waterfowl are a group of bird species that spend most of their life in these habitats and depend on the health of the ecosystem for food, safety, and nesting. Waterfowl that are ill or injured may be taken in by a wildlife rehabilitation program. Wildlife rehabilitators are important in the conservation of these species and have records of waterfowl intakes dating back for decades. Using these records, changes in temperature and precipitation can be linked to the population and health of waterfowl in the area. In this study, 19 species of waterfowl and 3,465 records from the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center in Northern Ohio were used to determine if these shifts in meteorology could explain variations in species composition, intake reason, and age. It was found that temperature is a better indicator of waterfowl intakes with the variable being able to explain 21% of variation in species composition, 15% of variation in intake reason, and 24% of variation in age of waterfowl. Mallard, Canada Goose, and Wood Duck were the species most commonly taken in. The most common reason for intake was being orphaned, hit by a car, or injured by something unknown. For age, nestlings were most commonly taken in. I aim to provide a foundation for the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center’s rehabilitation program going forward, with the impacts of climate change on waterfowl in mind.

Major

Biology

Environmental Science and Sustainability

Honors

Biology, 2024

First Reader(s)

Whitenack, Lisa B.