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https://hdl.handle.net/11681/6458| Title: | Management of shallow impoundments to provide emergent and submergent vegetation for waterfowl |
| Authors: | Polasek, Len Gerard, 1970- Jensen, Kent Charles, 1955- Weller, Milton Webster |
| Keywords: | Moist-soil management Wetland habitats Texas Waterfowl habitat management Wintering waterfowl Reservoirs Aquatic plants Vegetation |
| Publisher: | U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station |
| Series/Report no.: | Technical Report (Wetlands Research Program (U.S.)) ; no. Technical Report WRP-SM-8 |
| Abstract: | Effects of partial drawdowns, drawdown timing, and tilling on vegetation and seed production for waterfowl were tested in ponds at the Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility in north-central Texas. Vegetation lists, percent cover (PC), and aboveground biomass (AGB) revealed that partial drawdowns produced a typical zonation of wetland plants: submergent macrophytes in deep-flooded zones; cattail (Typha sp.), black willow (Salix nigra), and sedges in shallow-flooded zones; forbs in moist zones adjacent to water; and grasses in upper, drier zones. Seed production of grasses, sedges, and forbs generally reflected the vegetation present in each soil-moisture zone. Taxon richness of emergent plants was highest in dewatered zones. Drawdown timing did not affect taxon richness of emergent plants within dewatered zones, but grass AGB and forb and sedge PC and AGB were highest during 1993 spring drawdown. The majority of grasses and forbs had higher seed production during 1992 late-summer/early-fall drawdown, whereas sedges produced more seeds during the spring drawdown. Black willow occurred most frequently, and cattail was first recorded during spring drawdown. Most submergent macrophytes were unaffected by drawdown timing. Soil disturbance with rototilling created diversity in ponds by increasing taxon richness of emergent plants, encouraging annuals, and discouraging perennials. PC, AGB, and seed production of forbs and grasses generally increased and decreased, respectively, with tilling, whereas sedges were not affected. Cattail and black willow occurred most frequently in tilled areas. Most submergent macrophytes were not affected by tilling, except southern naiad (Najas guadalupensis), with higher PC in tilled plots. Finally, observations revealed that waterfowl visiting ponds utilized regions according to water depth and plant communities. Gadwall (Anas strepera) and American wigeon (A. americana) were most often observed within deep zones supporting submergent vegetation. Although data were not statistically significant, blue-winged teal (A. discors) and green-winged teal (A. crecca) occurred most often in shallow zones supporting emergent vegetation and seeds. Therefore, partial drawdowns, variations in drawdown timing, and soil disturbance were effective in providing a variety of vegetation and seeds for a diversity of migrant and wintering waterfowl. |
| Description: | Technical Report |
| Gov't Doc #: | Technical Report WRP-SM-8 |
| Rights: | Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11681/6458 |
| Appears in Collections: | Technical Report |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TR-WRP-SM-8.pdf | 31.55 MB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |