Multi-Scale Assessment of Factors Affecting Marshbird Density in the Northern Plains

Abstract

Over the last two centuries >50% of North American wetlands have been drained for agricultural production. Consequently, wildlife that depend on wetlands are declining and are of high conservation concern. The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North America is considered one of the most important wetland regions in the world. It has been estimated that approximately only 35% of the wetland area remains in the PPR, yet it is still a stronghold for many wetland organisms and provides habitat for >100 wetland-dependent birds. We investigated habitat selection and abundance of marshbirds across multiple scales during the 2016-2017 breeding seasons. We found multiple scales to affect marshbird species abundance, and densities estimates that were amongst the highest reported in the PPR. Overall, this information provides a baseline for species with previously unknown densities in this region that will improve our ability to conserve marshbirds in the Northern Great Plains.