Louisiana Association of
Professional Biologists/ The
Wildlife Society Louisiana Chapter
2012 Fall Symposium
Recent Natural Resource
Research in Louisiana
With a Focus Session on
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration
August 16th and 17th
The NOAA Estuarine Habitats and
Coastal
Fisheries Center
646 Cajundome Blvd.
Lafayette, LA 70506
Thursday, August 16th – Large Conference Room #119
8:30 – 8:40
Welcome and Introduction: Aaron Pierce,
LAPB President-Elect
Session I
Moderator: Kim Marie Tolson (ULM)
8:40 – 8:55
EDAPHIC CONSTRAINTS ON PLANT
ESTABLISHMENT IN A TIDAL MARSH
RESTORATION SITE: IMPLICATIONS
FOR WETLAND RESTORATION. Taylor
M. Sloey and Mark W. Hester, Coastal Plant
Ecology Laboratory, University of Louisiana at
Lafayette.
8:55 – 9:10
METHODS FOR ENHANCING
ESTABLISHMENT OF BACCHARIS
HALIMIFOLIA AT COASTAL
RESTORATION SITES. Michael J. Dupuis
and Mark W. Hester, Coastal Plant Ecology
Laboratory, University of Louisiana at
Lafayette.
9:10 – 9:25
GROWTH OF SMOOTH CORDGRASS IN
THE PRESENCE AND ABSENCE OF
FIDDLER CRABS. Aimee Hafkesbring and
Grary LaFleur, Jr., Department of Biological
Sciences, Nicholls State University.
WATER-- LOUISIANA’S DEFINING RESOURCE.
Mark Davis, Senior Research Fellow and Director
Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy
Tulane University Law School.
Louisiana has a long and complex relationship with water.
Culturally and economically, water has shaped Louisiana in
powerful and obvious ways. Legally, the relationship has been
more obscure, defined more by specific uses and periodic
crises that command intense but brief attention than by a
systematic approach to management. As a result,
comprehensive water management has received relatively little
attention in Louisiana.
The state is facing a future in which water, even in Louisiana,
is a scarce resource that demands a well thought out and
integrated approach to its stewardship. The need to
purposefully balance navigation, flood control, environmental,
agricultural, industrial and drinking water supplies is already
pressing and will only become more so. Regional and
interstate water needs are also growing as are energy driven
water uses.
Recent legislative and administrative actions indicate that
Louisiana is beginning to recognize both the true value of
water and the need to manage it more comprehensively. Those
interested in the future of wildlife will need to track and engage
in the water planning processes that are starting in the state if
the state’s rich natural heritage is to be ensured.
Unit costs were shown to decrease with increases in project
time and scale, and increase at higher discount rates regardless
of restoration method. Mobilization and demobilization of
dredging equipment, access dredging costs, and the distance
between sediment borrow site and project site, served to
significantly increase the unit costs of MC projects. Breakeven costs for MC were found to exceed DIV2 and DIV1 at
time periods beyond 25 and 35 years, pumping distances of 10
and 20 miles, and target scales of 4,000 and 10,000 acres,
respectively. These intersection points increase substantially;
however, with incorporation of climatic and social risks. The
implications of such risks will be presented in detail, with
specific recommendations for addressing limiting factors
(physical and socioeconomic) by project type.
9:25 – 9:40
GROWTH RATES AND
ESTABLISHMENT PATTERNS OF
WATER ELM (PLANERA AQUATICA)
AND BALD CYPRESS (TAXODIUM
DISTICHUM) AS INDICATORS OF
CLIMATIC AND HYDROLOGIC
CONIDITIONS AT CATAHOULA LAKE,
LOUISIANA. Sanjeev Joshi1 , Karen S. Doerr1,
Richard F. Keim1 , and Frank L. Willis2,
1
School of Renewable Natural Resources,
Louisiana State University Agricultural Center,
2
Willis Engineering and Scientific, LLC.
9:40 – 9:55
ANALYSIS OF MARSH REVEGETATION
EFFORTS IN CALCASIEU AND
CAMERON PARISHES, LOUISIANA.
Joshua M. Soileau and Eddie K. Lyons,
Department of Agricultural Sciences, McNeese
State University.
9:55 – 10:15 BREAK
Session II
Moderator: Sammy King (USGS)
10:15 – 10:30 A COMPARISON OF AQUATIC TURTLE
SPECIES IN SOUTHWESTERN
LOUISIANA. Cybil Covic Huntzinger, Irvin
Louque, and Eddie K. Lyons, Department of
Agricultural Sciences, McNeese State
University.
10:30 – 10:45 A COMPARISON OF FISH AND
CRUSTACEAN COMMUNITIES
ASSOCIATED WITH CONSTRUCTED
OYSTER REEFS AND NATURAL
OYSTER REEFS IN A LOUISIANA
ESTUARY. Victoria Bacheler and Earl J.
Melancon, Jr., Department of Biological
Sciences, Nicholls State University.
10:45 – 11:00 MEETING THE ENERGETIC NEEDS OF
WINTERING WATERBIRDS THROUGH
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AT
BOSQUE DEL APACHE NATIONAL
WILDLIFE REFUGE, NEW MEXICO.
Drew N. Fowler, School of Renewable Natural
Resources, Louisiana State University
Agricultural Center.
11:00 – 11:15 EVALUATING BARRIER ISLAND
HABITATS FOR WINTERING
WATERBIRDS. David Curtiss and Aaron R.
Pierce, Department of Biological Sciences,
Nicholls State University.
11:15 – 11:30 NOCTURNAL HABITAT SELECTION OF
THE AMERICAN WOODCOCK
(SCOLOPAX MINOR) IN SOUTH
CENTRAL LOUISIANA. James C. Haynes1,
Jeffery Duguay2, and Kim Marie Tolson1,
1
Department of Biology, University of
Louisiana Monroe, 2Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries, Baton Rouge.
TRAJECTORY ECONOMICS: A COMPARATIVE
ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF COASTAL LANDBUILDING METHODS. Rex H. Caffey, Louisiana State
University.
Coastal restoration in Louisiana is increasingly characterized
by the use of rapid land building techniques that rely on
mechanical dredges and sediment pipelines for the purpose of
marsh creation. Yet the advantages of such projects can be
offset by their high costs and apparent low functionality
compared to more natural methods such as fresh water and
sediment diversions. Such comparisons are central to a
growing economic and ideological debate between advocates
of these two methods, and one typically defined by a narrow
interpretation of costs and benefits.
Generic cost and benefit models were developed via regression
analysis using project data marsh creation (MC) and diversions
(DIV1). An exogenous model of diversion benefits (DIV2) was
utilized to capture a wider suite of nutrient and sediment
contributions at specific flow rates. Net present valuation and
sensitivity analysis were utilized to solve for the break-even
ecosystem service value ($/acre/year) in which the benefit-cost
ratio was equal to 1.0. Risk assessments were developed using
hurricane landfall probability and social risk for 16 simulated
projects in the upper and lower basins of Plaquemine Parish.
emerging issues of increased population density, changing land
use and climate, and ecosystem research for conservation of
desired landscapes. This presentation will address early
successes, findings, and current and future research directions
of the GCP and GCPO LCCs, using examples from the Gulf of
Mexico region to highlight the functional roles and added value
proposition of conservation within this partnership context.
11:30 – 1:30 LUNCH (on your own)
Session III
1:30 – 1:45
Moderator: Frank Rohwer (LSU)
MIGRATION OF BALD EAGLES FROM
LOUISIANA. Nickolas R. Smith1, Alan D.
Afton2, Thomas J. Hess, Jr.3 , 1School of
Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State
University, 2U.S. Geological Survey Louisiana
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit,
3
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries, Rockefeller Refuge, Grand Chenier.
1:45 – 2:00
WASTE RICE, MOIST-SOIL SEED, AND
WATERBIRD ABUNDANCE IN RICE
PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN LOUISIANA
AND TEXAS. Joseph Marty1, J. Brain Davis1,
Richard M. Kaminski1, Michael G. Brasher2,
Guiming Wang1, 1Department of Wildlife,
Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State
University, 2Gulf Coast Joint Venture, National
Wetlands Research Center, Lafayette.
2:00 – 2:15
EFFECTS OF HABITAT EDGES AND
NEST SITE CHARACTERISTICS ON
PAINTED BUNTING NEST SURVIVAL.
Phillip L. Vasseur and Paul L. Lerberg,
Department of Biology, University of Louisiana
at Lafayette.
2:15 – 2:30
BREAK
2:30 – 2:45
EFFECTS OF PREDATOR REMOVAL ON
DUCK NEST SUCCESS IN LOW
GRASSLAND DENSITY LANDSCAPES IN
NORTH DAKOTA. Michael J. Buxton and
Frank C. Rohwer. School of Renewable Natural
Resources, Louisiana State University
Agricultural Center.
2:45 – 3:00
ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT ON DREDGE
SPOIL ISLANDS OF THE
ATCHAFALAYA DELTA FOR NESTING
MOTTLED DUCKS AND SEABIRDS.
Brendan M. Caillouet, Justin A. Rabalais, and
Frank C. Rohwer, School of Renewable Natural
Resources, Louisiana State University
Agricultural Center.
3:00 – 3:15
THE RELATIONSHIP OF WATERFOWL
CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION
MEMBERSHIP TO WATERFOWL
HUNTER PARTICIPATION IN
LOUISIANA. Lucien P. Laborde, Jr., Frank C.
Rohwer, and Michael D. Kaller, School of
Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State
University Agricultural Center.
3:30 – 4:30
LAPB/TWS Fall Business Meeting (Rm 119)
5:00 – 10:00 Evening Social and Dinner at Hilton Garden
Inn
-Student Presentation and Publication Awards
announced
COLLABORATION IN CONSERVATION IN THE
GULF OF MEXICO COASTAL REGION:A CRUCIBLE
FOR THE FUTURE. Bill Bartush1, John Tirpak2, D. Phil
Turnipseed3, and Jeff Weller4,
1
Coordinator, Gulf Coast Prairie Landscape Conservation
Cooperative, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lafayette, LA
70506, 2 Science Coordinator, Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks
Landscape Conservation Cooperative, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Lafayette, LA 70506, 3 Director, National Wetlands
Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Lafayette, LA 70506
4
Project Leader, Louisiana Ecological Services Office, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Lafayette, LA 70506.
Effective and strategic conservation depends largely on holistic
science planning that integrates resource priorities and partners
across the entire science-management enterprise. To achieve
this challenging goal, Federal, state, and local agencies have
joined forces with nongovernmental organizations and the
private sector to initiate a new kind of conservation partnership
called Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs). LCC
Partnerships leverage resources to define a common vision for
sustaining natural and cultural resources and develop tools that
improve natural resource management. The goal is to focus
coordinated action and eliminate duplication in support of
shared conservation priorities across large connected areas, or
landscapes, in light of anticipated changes on those landscapes.
In 2010 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) along with others launched a
significant coalition to assist two LCCs, the Gulf Coast Prairie
(GCP) and the Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks (GCPO), in
building a critical science and engineering mass in the Gulf of
Mexico region. The coalition created at the USGS National
Wetland Research Center is working together to address the
OVERVIEW OF LOUISIANA’S 2012 COASTAL
MASTER PLAN. Kirk Reinhardt, Coastal Protection and
Restoration Authority of Louisiana, Baton Rouge.
The State of Louisiana has lost over 1,880 square miles of land
since the 1930s. This dynamic coastal environment continues
to be degraded by natural and man made factors including
hurricanes, oil spills, sediment starvation, and an extensive
canal network in the marshes. If no efforts are made to address
the causes of this loss, another 1,800 square miles of
land may be lost over the next 50 years. A dramatically
different approach to coastal restoration and risk reduction is
essential and was developed in the 2012 Coastal Master
Plan. A series of integrated, coast wide predictive models were
developed to provide data for a new planning tool which was
used to identify the suite of projects that would make the
greatest progress toward meeting the 2007 Master Plan
objectives. The 2012 Master Plan utilizes uncertainties and
decision criteria to help determine greatest land gain and
minimum risk damage in relation to the available funding.
Recognizing that the success of the plan hinges on stakeholder
support as well as science, the State has also implemented a
comprehensive outreach plan to obtain input and feedback
from the public, science and engineering community, Federal
and state agencies, NGOs, and elected officials. CPRA’s stateof-the-art, holistic and systems approach to coastal planning
will allow the State to effectively invest limited financial
resources while making the greatest progress toward achieving
a sustainable coast.
Friday, August 17th
8:00 – 9:20
POSTER SESSION – Conference Room #116
FOCUS SESSION
GULF COAST ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION
9:20 – 9:30
Focus Session
Opening Remarks: Aaron Pierce, LAPB
President-Elect
Moderator: Michael Carloss (LDWF)
9:30 – 10:00 LDWF-NRDA RESPONSE AND
ASSESSMENT PROGRAM: AN
OVERVIEW. Matthew Weigel and Jon J.
Wiebe, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries Response and Assessment Program,
Lafayette.
10:00 – 10:30 THE EFFECTS OF MACONDO OIL ON
COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS. Linda HooperBui, Department of Entomology, Louisiana
State University, Baton Rouge.
10:30 – 11:00 OVERVIEW OF LOUISIANA’S 2012
COASTAL MASTER PLAN. Kirk Reinhardt,
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of
Louisiana, Baton Rouge.
11:00 – 11:30 COLLABORATION IN CONSERVATION
IN THE GULF OF MEXICO COASTAL
REGION: A CRUCIBLE FOR THE
FUTURE. Bill Bartush1, John Tirpak2, D. Phil
Turnispeed3, and Jeff Weller4, 1Gulf Coast
Prairie Landscape Conservation Cooperative,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lafayette, 2Gulf
Coastal Plain and Ozarks Landscape
Conservation Cooperative, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Lafayette, 3National Wetlands
Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey,
Lafayette, 4Louisiana Ecological Services
Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Lafayette.
11:30 – 12:00 TRAJECTORY ECONOMICS: A
COMPARATIVE ECONOMIC
ASSESSMENT OF COASTAL LANDBUILDING METHODS. Rex H. Caffey,
Center for Natural Resource Economics &
Policy, Louisiana State University.
12:00 – 12:30 WATER-- LOUISIANA’S DEFINING
RESOURCE. Mark Davis, Tulane Institute on
Water Resources Law and Policy, Tulane
University Law School.
12:30 – 12:40 Presentation of Poster Award
Closing Comments
THE EFFECTS OF MACONDO OIL ON COASTAL
ECOSYSTEMS. Linda Hooper-Bui, Department of
Entomology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.
The sounds of a healthy salt marsh community and adjacent
coastal waters include buzzes, clicks, chirps, and splashes.
Healthy ecosystems can handle small disturbances or stressors
such as small pulses of oil from deep seeps in the Gulf of
Mexico (GOM). Stressed ecosystems such as the saltwater
marshes and the waters that extend to the shelf that fringe the
northern GOM experienced a huge pulse of additional
disturbance as a result of escaping oil from the Macondo
blowout, fresh water diversions, and the subsequent cleanup
efforts. Members of the LUMCON GoMRI consortium are
studying the effect of crude-water emulsion on the soil, plants
and fauna in saltwater marshes and adjacent open water and
comparing them to reference sites. All sampling had
contemporaneous unoiled controls or reference sites and
comparable samples before the emulsion made landfall.
Whereas some data indicate select taxa escaped impact of
Macondo oil, our results and observations indicate widespread
‘silencing’ of insect and spider activity in Louisiana saltwater
marshes affected by the BP Macondo blowout.
ABSTRACTS FOR FOCUS SESSION
Friday, 17 August 2012
LDWF-NRDA RESPONSE AND ASSESSMENT
PROGRAM: AN OVERVIEW. Matthew Weigel and Jon J.
Wiebe, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Response and Assessment Program, Lafayette.
Since its inception in January 2011, LDWF-NRDA Response
and Assessment Program remains the Department’s principal
representative addressing Mississippi Canyon Block 252 (MC252) Emergency Response and Assessment efforts. These
efforts have been accomplished through strong collaborative
relationships among the principal State (i.e., LOSCO, OCPR,
LDEQ, and LDNR), Federal (i.e., USCG, USFWS, NOAA,
and USGS) and Responsible party (i.e., BP, Cardno ENTRIX)
members. Throughout the Area of Response (AOR), program
personnel continue to advocate for state trust resources,
protecting wildlife and valuable habitat while guiding
necessary response activity. In tandem, assessment work plans
(cooperative and non-cooperative) have been developed /
implemented to evaluate principal injury endpoints to
Louisiana’s natural resources in relation to the MC-252 oil spill
including: 1.) Acute toxicological response; 2.) Identification
of exposure routes; 3.) Evaluating physiological endpoints
indicative of PAH exposure (i.e., biomarkers); 4.) Evaluating
survival metrics; and 5.) Developing paired field / laboratory
work plans to assist in injury quantification. To date, program
personnel are addressing both short-term (i.e., Response and
Assessment plan implementation, data analysis /
interpretations) and long-term (i.e., monitoring and restoration
activities) objectives.
ABSTRACTS FOR STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
Thursday, 16 August 2012
EDAPHIC CONSTRAINTS ON PLANT
ESTABLISHMENT IN A TIDAL MARSH
RESTORATION SITE: IMPLICATIONS FOR
WETLAND RESTORATION. Taylor M. Sloey and Mark W.
Hester, Coastal Plant Ecology Laboratory, University of
Louisiana at Lafayette.
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta in California is
recognized for its role in providing important ecological
services; however, historical manipulations via levee
construction have resulted in vast losses of wetland habitat.
Concerns about the Delta’s water quality and ecological
function, have given impetus to consider proposals for
controlled breaching of these levees to re-introduce hydrologic
connectivity and return the land to tidal freshwater wetlands.
This study evaluated the effects of edaphic and hydrologic
conditions on vegetation establishment and expansion at
Liberty Island, a post levee-breach restoring marsh in
California.
We examined the effects of varying environmental
conditions on the establishment and expansion of three
freshwater macrophytes: (Schoenoplectus acutus,
Schoenoplectus californicus and Typha latifolia) at two life
history stages (rhizome and adult). Results indicate S.
californicus has established more successfully than the other
species and expanded to more than an order of magnitude
greater (in terms of area colonized) than the other two species.
Furthermore, degree of the compacted soil layers may be
influencing species survival and expansion. Total area of
expansion of all species was more than 2.5 times greater in
areas of lesser compacted soils. A subsequent seed-bank assay
further emphasized the importance of understanding constraints
on vegetative expansion as conditions limit successful seed
germination at Liberty Island. The information gained from
this study will aid restoration planning by optimizing plant
species selections to meet restoration goals and further refine
restoration trajectories for the Delta as well as wetland
restoration and creation projects in a variety of regions
worldwide.
METHODS FOR ENHANCING ESTABLISHMENT OF
BACCHARIS HALIMIFOLIA AT COASTAL
RESTORATION SITES. Michael J. Dupuis and Mark W.
Hester, Coastal Plant Ecology Laboratory, University of
Louisiana at Lafayette.
Enhancement of vegetation establishment techniques at coastal
and barrier island restoration sites is critical to project success
and sustainability. We investigated various establishment
techniques for the woody shrub Baccharis halimifolia on
barrier island swale sediment (pumped silty sand). Our
methods focused on improving germination and sediment
conditions for subsequent vigorous growth. We conducted two
germination experiments: the first determined the optimal
burial depth for B. halimifolia seed germination; the second
determined the benefit of organic matter, hydromulch, and
humic acid treatments on B. halimifolia seed germination under
two precipitation regimes. Our third experiment evaluated a
range of applied humic acid amendments on seedling growth
and optimized humic acid dosage with potential synergy with
fertilizer application. Results from the first study indicate that
the optimal burial depth for B. halimifolia seed germination is
Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery is being pursued to
provide stock for active restoration. Search and restoration
efforts would benefit from a prioritization tool that could
identify potential habitat. We developed a LPM habitat model
that included parameters related to stream permanence, flow,
substrate, and water temperature. Excepting stream
permanence that was available from NHD, we relied on proxy
variables to index the other parameters. For flow, we used
stream order and gradient. For substrate, we used bank slope,
assuming steep slopes provided a source for the preferred
gravel substrates. Lastly, water temperature was indexed by
determining the percent canopy cover and forested habitat
within each subwatershed draining into each 100 m stretch of
stream. Mussel locations were compared to all habitats in the
landscape, and mussels were distributed non-randomly with
regard to habitat. Mussels occurred in first- to third-order
streams with moderate stream gradients along gently sloping
areas in predominantly forested landscapes with greater canopy
cover than on average. We used a GIS to identify unoccupied
but potentially suitable habitats with these characteristics
across the landscape. These results and potential next steps will
be discussed.
Bay in Texas; Barataria/Terrebonne Bay and the Mississippi
Delta in Louisiana; Mississippi Sound in Mississippi; Mobile
Bay in Alabama; and the Florida Panhandle and Tampa Bay in
Florida, as well as present statewide summaries for Texas,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Each study area
will be detailed in vignettes that address current status and
historical trends of estuarine and palustrine emergent wetlands,
emergent wetlands mapping and monitoring, causes of status
change, restoration and enhancement activities, background
information for the study areas, and the methodology employed
to analyze and document the historical trends and current status
of emergent wetlands.
A DECISION SUPPORT TOOL FOR LOUISIANA
PEARLSHELL MUSSEL CONSERVATION:
PRIORITIZING SEARCH AND RESTORATION SITES.
Blair E. Tirpak1, Tony Brady2, Steve Shively3, and John
Tirpak4, 1Five Rivers Services, U.S. Geological Survey
National Wetlands Research Center, Lafayette, LA 70508,
2
Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Natchitoches, LA 71457, 3Kisatchie National Forest,
USDA Forest Service, Pineville, LA 71360, 4Gulf Coastal
Plains and Ozarks Landscape Conservation Cooperative,
Lafayette, LA 70508.
The Louisiana pearlshell mussel (Margaritifera hembeli; LPM)
is a federally threatened freshwater bivalve endemic to
Louisiana whose range is currently restricted to Grant and
Rapides Parishes. Initially listed as endangered in 1988,
discovery of a previously unknown population lead to
reclassification as threatened in 1993. Specimens documented
from outside the current range suggest that additional
populations may exist. Active culturing of the LPM at
0.0 cm. The second study displayed a significant benefit of
hydromulch on germination in sediment with low organic
matter. In the absence of hydromulch, sediment organic matter
content was positively associated with germination success.
Results to date from the humic acid studies suggest that humic
acid amendments are not as effective as traditional fertilizer
application rates in enhancing growth of B. halimifolia.
However, humic acid has been reported to function similarly to
a slow release fertilizer. Therefore, potential benefits of humic
acid amendment may not be evident until later in the study.
GROWTH OF SMOOTH CORDGRASS IN THE
PRESENCE AND ABSENCE OF FIDDLER CRABS.
Aimee Hafkesbring and Grary LaFleur, Jr., Department of
Biological Sciences, Nicholls State University.
Smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora, is a dominant
perennial plant species found across the Louisiana coast. The
Long-wave Gulf fiddler crab, Uca longisignalis, is a macrobenthic crustacean that may exist in a facultative mutualistic
relationship with Spartina. The basis of our experiment was to
test whether S. alterniflora growth is different in the presence
of U. longisignalis. Mesocosms were created at the Nicholls
Farm containing a mixture of sandy soil equilibrated in a
raceway kept at 10 ppt salinity in a greenhouse for thirteen
weeks. In each mesocosm, the ‘Vermilion’ ecotype of smooth
cordgrass was cultivated in the absence or presence of fiddler
crabs at low, medium, and high abundance. Preliminary plant
length was measured as follows: grass with no crabs = 58.04
cm +/- 28.65; grass with six crabs = 60.40 cm +/- 18.43; grass
with twelve crabs = 80.53 cm +/- 10.16; grass with twenty four
crabs = 70.48 cm +/- 9.63. Our results suggest a trend for
enhanced growth in the presence of fiddler crabs, however our
values were not significantly different. To support the
restoration of coastal Louisiana, there is a high demand to
cultivate the dominant vegetative species, S. alterniflora. Our
continuing studies will seek to characterize whether Spartina
cultivation may be enhanced with the addition of fiddler crabs
as a facultative symbiont. This project was supported by the
Nicholls Institute of Seafood Safety, the Louisiana Native Plant
Initiative, and the Nicholls Honors Program.
resident whooping crane colony. Due to their historical
presence in Louisiana, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries (LDWF) is attempting to establish a selfsustaining population in and around White Lake Wetlands
Conservation Area (WLWCA) located in Vermilion parish. A
self-sustaining population is defined as a flock with 130
individuals and 30 nesting pairs that survive for 10 years
without any additional restocking.
GROWTH RATES AND ESTABLISHMENT PATTERNS
OF WATER ELM (PLANERA AQUATICA) AND BALD
CYPRESS (TAXODIUM DISTICHUM) AS INDICATORS
OF CLIMATIC AND HYDROLOGIC CONIDITIONS AT
CATAHOULA LAKE, LOUISIANA. Sanjeev Joshi1 , Karen
S. Doerr1, Richard F. Keim1 , and Frank L. Willis2, 1School of
Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University
Agricultural Center, 2Willis Engineering and Scientific, LLC.
EMERGENT WETLANDS STATUS AND TRENDS IN
THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO: 1950-2010.
Kathryn Spear, Cindy Thatcher, Larry Handley, and Scott
Wilson, U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research
Center, 700 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70506.
Hydrologic alterations of forested wetlands frequently lead to
vegetation changes. In central Louisiana, hydrologic alterations
have apparently led to an expansion of water elm (Planera
aquatica) and baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) into
Catahoula Lake, a Ramsar Wetland of International
Importance. In this study, we used dendrochronology and aerial
photography to test hypotheses that growth rates of water elm
and baldcypress are correlated with hydrologic regime and that
expansion of water elm in the lake is a consequence of
construction of water control structures built in 1971. We
found that radial growth of baldcypress was correlated more
with water levels than climatic variables; however, oppositely,
radial growth of water elm was correlated more with climatic
variables (early spring to summer temperature, precipitation
and drought) than water levels. Aerial imagery and tree ages
Throughout the past century, emergent wetlands have been
declining across the Gulf of Mexico. Emergent wetland
ecosystems provide many resources, including plant and
wildlife habitat, commercial and recreational economic
activity, water quality, and natural barriers against storms. As
emergent wetland losses increase, so does the need for
information on the causes and effects of this loss; emergent
wetland mapping, monitoring and restoration efforts; and
education. The U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program
are committed to providing the best science possible to restore,
enhance, and protect these important ecosystems. The purpose
of this project is to provide scientists, managers, and citizens
with valuable baseline information on the status and trends of
emergent wetlands along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. This
study will examine the emergent wetlands of eight individual
estuarine areas within the northern Gulf of Mexico region,
including Corpus Christi/Nueces/Aransas Bays and Galveston
REINTRODUCTION OF WHOOPING CRANES IN
SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA. Carrie Salyers, Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Baton Rouge, LA
70808.
Fifteen species of cranes occur throughout the world, with two
of the fifteen species occurring in North America. Both the
sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) and the whooping crane
(Grus americansis) had extensive historic North American
ranges. Both have suffered population losses with whooping
crane numbers in peril. Due to this decline, whooping cranes
were added to the federal status of endangered species on
March 11, 1967. As of January 5, 2010 approximately 551
individuals remain (Stehn 2010). The whooping crane is still
highly vulnerable to extinction in the wild. The crane adheres
to ancestral breeding areas, migration routes, and wintering
grounds, leaving little possibility of pioneering into new
regions. The existing wild populations can be expected to
continue utilizing their present habitats with little likelihood of
expansion, except locally. In their restricted winter distribution,
whooping cranes are vulnerable to annihilation by catastrophic
events like a hurricane, red tide, or a contaminant spill which
could destroy their habitat, eradicate their food resources, or
kill the birds directly as a result of toxins. Continuing battles
over wind farm development and fresh water diversions, as
well as a combination of coastal development and sea-level rise
create tremendous uncertainty for the future of wild whooping
cranes. The vulnerability of these birds illustrates the need for
additional self-sustaining wild populations which are separate
from other existing wild birds (USFWS 2001).
The southwest portion of Louisiana was once the most
important area of the whooping crane’s winter range and until
the mid-twentieth century, the home of the United States’ only
indicate water elm, swamp-privet, and other woody vegetation
encroached into Catahoula Lake by about 1040 ha (30% of the
lake area) between 1940 and 2007. The rate of encroachment
before the construction of the water control structures was
about 0.2% per year, increasing to 0.4% per year after the
structures. Encroachment has been largely in the northeast near
the connection to Dry River and in the southwest at the input of
Little River. We conclude that hydrologic conditions following
the construction of water control structures increased the rate
of expansion of trees in the lake.
ANALYSIS OF MARSH REVEGETATION EFFORTS IN
CALCASIEU AND CAMERON PARISHES,
LOUISIANA. Joshua M. Soileau and Eddie K. Lyons, Harold
and Pearl Dripps Department of Agricultural Sciences,
McNeese State University.
Determination of success or failure in wetland restoration
projects is often based on whether wetland functionality (i.e.,
hydrology, wildlife habitat, sediment retention, hurricane
protection) is restored. What has failed to be acknowledged is
the importance of plant growth and establishment to these
functions being restored—without a healthy plant community,
they are not. Furthermore, the factors controlling plant growth
and establishment have not been analyzed to determine which
factors have a larger influence on successful establishment and
growth. We evaluated effects of abiotic factors (e.g., salinity,
soil type) on marsh revegetation efforts from 2000-2011, and
compared success of projects in hurricane and non-hurricane
years. Preliminary data analysis indicated a 77% survival rate
for the 12-year period being analyzed in this study. Projects
during hurricane years tended to have lower survival than
projects in non-hurricane years, but many projects in non-
hurricane years also had low survival. We suggest that abiotic
factors play major roles in plant establishment and survival,
and therefore success of restoration projects.
A COMPARISON OF AQUATIC TURTLE SPECIES IN
SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA. Cybil Covic Huntzinger,
Irvin Louque, and Eddie K. Lyons, Harold and Pearl Dripps
Department of Agricultural Sciences, McNeese State
University.
The ability to manage imperiled species is often complicated
by many factors (i.e. cryptic behavior, challenging habitats,
low population densities) leading to “patchy” and incomplete
records for these species. This is particularly the case with
freshwater turtles in southwestern Louisiana. As a result of the
lack of data on these species, we initiated a project to
determine the distribution and abundance of turtle species,
namely Graptemys sabinensis and Macrochelys temminkii
throughout southwestern Louisiana. Currently, trapping efforts
have begun at two sites each in the Sabine, Calcasieu and
Mermentau watersheds to determine and compare species
richness. Currently, we are in our first season of data collection
and have captured eight species comprising 313 individuals.
Two additional species were observed, one dead M. temminkii
and one basking Sternotherus oderatus. G. sabinensis has been
the species trapped most in all watersheds followed by
Trachemys scripta.We have documented similar species
diversity among the three watersheds with our initial trapping
efforts, however species evenness has differed. Interestingly,
no M. temminkii have been trapped in any of the three
watersheds. Future work includes bridge surveys and markresight efforts to further refine population estimates and
distribution of these species.
Aerial transects, call back surveys and Automated Recording
Units (bioacoustics monitoring) will provide distribution and
densities. National Wetlands Inventory (NWI), salinity and
vegetation maps are incorporated in ArcGIS as shape files and
habitat data are being ground truthed using current CRMS
hydrologic and vegetation data. These habitat variables will be
used to build the species-specific habitat models. Local habitatspecies modeling is necessary because species-specific
responses will differ from other areas of the country.
GOPHER TORTOISE CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN
LOUISIANA. Keri E. Landry and Beau B. Gregory ,
Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA
70898.
In Louisiana, gopher tortoises are only found in Tangipahoa,
St. Tammany and Washington parishes and represent the
western most range of this species along the southeastern
coastal plain. The Louisiana Natural Heritage Program (LNHP)
housed within the LDWF’s Coastal and Nongame Resources
Division has been proactive in updating the tortoise’s status
and working on measures to ensure the existence of this
threatened species in the state. We are currently working to
determine how many tortoises reside in Louisiana by obtaining
a burrow occupancy rate for our population. We are committed
to working with landowners and managers to improve priority
habitat for tortoises on private and public property and
updating the LNHP database. We present recent data from our
survey efforts along utility right-of-ways and other key areas in
suitable tortoise habitat, and discuss our waif tortoise program
and the current multi-state sandhills habitat improvement
project to benefit tortoises and associated species.
project is funded by the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection
and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) through the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Louisiana Department
of Natural Resources (LDNR) with the Louisiana Department
of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) as the lead implementing
agency. Reporting the distribution of harvest is accomplished
by tracking the nutria harvest locations according the section
and individual hunting lease. The method chosen for the
program is an incentive payment to registered trappers/hunters
for each nutria tail delivered to established collection centers.
The project goal is to significantly reduce damage to coastal
wetlands resulting from nutria herbivory by removing 400,000
nutria annually.
DEVELOPING HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS FOR
SECRETIVE MARSH BIRDS. Melissa Collins1 and Clinton
W. Jeske2, 1Five Rivers Services, U.S. Geological Survey,
National Wetlands Research Center, 700 Cajundome Blvd.,
Lafayette, LA 70506, 2U.S. Geological Survey, National
Wetlands Research Center, 700 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette,
LA 70506.
The presence of secretive marsh birds may be indicative of the
success of wetland restoration efforts. Justification for
monitoring marsh birds includes their vulnerability to habitat
change, invasive vegetative species, and contaminants affecting
food resources that make these indicator species for assessing
wetland ecosystem quality. Coastal Louisiana is a core area for
several marsh bird species. The objectives for monitoring
these species are to 1) determine distribution and density; 2)
develop species-specific habitat (occupancy) models using a
multivariate approach; and 3) model distribution and
population changes under different climate change scenarios.
A COMPARISON OF FISH AND CRUSTACEAN
COMMUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH CONSTRUCTED
OYSTER REEFS AND NATURAL OYSTER REEFS IN A
LOUISIANA ESTUARY. Victoria Bacheler and Earl J.
Melancon, Jr., Department of Biological Sciences, Nicholls
State University.
Many marine organisms rely on eastern oyster (Crassostrea
virginica) reefs and adjacent intertidal marshes for an array of
ecological services. Unfortunately, coastal erosion is a major
threat to this habitat. The Terrebonne Bay Shore Protection
Demonstration Project (TE-45) is one initiative created to
reduce the erosion rate of shorelines while also supporting
oyster reef establishment. In this project, three constructed
structure types, TritonTM Gabion mats, A-Jacks®, and
ReefblksTM, were placed in three locations within Terrebonne
Bay, Louisiana. All three structure types have significantly
reduced the rate of erosion during the three years since
installation. It is now important to assess the ecological
services of the constructed reef habitats, and specifically in this
project to compare fish and crustacean diversity around the
structures to nearby natural, intertidal oyster reef habitats. Gill
nets were used to determine species richness, species diversity,
and catch per unit effort (CPUE) of transient fish at three
structures and three natural reefs (controls). Crab traps were
used to determine blue crab CPUE, number of female and male
blue crabs, and carapace width frequencies for three structures
and three controls. Minnow traps were used to determine small
fish and macroinvertebrate species richness, species diversity,
and CPUE at three structures and three controls. Preliminary
results suggest that these constructed reefs are an attractive
option for creating habitat for marine organisms, while also
protecting the shoreline from erosion.
MEETING THE ENERGETIC NEEDS OF WINTERING
WATERBIRDS THROUGH SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE AT BOSQUE DEL APACHE
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, NEW MEXICO. Drew
N. Fowler, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana
State University Agricultural Center.
Agriculture plays an important role in meeting the energetic
needs of migrant and wintering waterbrids at the Bosque del
Apache National Wildlife Refuge. However current practices
continue to produce low yields and may not be ecologically
sustainable as irrigation water becomes more scarce, soil
salinities increase, and federal restrictions prohibit the use of
genetically modified crops and chemical applicants. The longterm directive of this study is to develop a sustainable
agricultural system for the Bosque del Apache NWR that is
established on soil ecology, organic farming, and
wetland/cropland rotations that utilize nutrient cycling and
minimize needs for chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and
pesticides. In this study we specifically compare the physical
and nutritional properties of traditional agricultural fields and
moist-soil impoundments and evaluate the causative factors of
soil salinization in historic alluvial floodplains. Preliminary
findings suggest that differences between traditional
agricultural fields and moist-soil impoundments may result
from both site-specific abiotic conditions and differences in
management practices. Variations in below ground hydrology,
soil stratification, and surface flooding regimes seem to
contribute to the degree of salinization in both management
practices but moist-soil management may facilitate overall
lower root-zone salinities. These findings may be linked to the
elongated hydroperiod of moist-soil management as compared
to traditional agriculture. As the refuge continues to evaluate
fences, stakes, and cables can become scattered debris that can
increase the risk to the same wetlands the structure was
designed to protect. Innovative structures like this have the
capacity to add protection even if they structurally fail. Broken
and moved pieces would act as natural shell reef brought
ashore. This minimizes costs in both construction and
assembly, but also in eliminating the threat that structures will
need removed.
The National Marine Fisheries Service has been dedicated to
testing new forms of restoration through Coastal Wetland
Planning Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA)
demonstration projects.
LOUISIANA COASTWIDE NUTRIA CONTROL
PROGRAM: 10 YEARS LATER. Jennifer Hogue and
Edmond Mouton, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries, New Iberia Field Office.
The Nutria (Myocastor coypus), native to South America, is an
introduced and invasive semi-aquatic rodent. Populations in
coastal Louisiana have resulted from escapes and possible
releases from nutria farms in the 1930s. The decline in fur
trapping activity since the mid-1980s has created an over
population of nutria. Annual surveys have revealed that
approximately 80,000 acres of Louisiana coastal wetlands can
be impacted at any one time. Nutria herbivory damage is
ongoing, and many damaged sites are not likely to recover
naturally. Without comprehensive management of nutria
herbivory damage, the stability of the Louisiana coastal
ecosystem is threatened. Since the introduction of the
Coastwide Nutria Control Program (CNCP), the estimate of
impacted acres has been reduced from approximately 79,444
acres in 2002 to approximately 4,234 acres in 2012. This
U.S. gallons) with 115 grams (1/4 U.S. lb) of a dried local soil
containing approximately 70% clay. This mixture released at
four different flow rates. These flow rates were chosen to
represent runoff conditions during different rain events. Before
and after each experimental run a 147 grams (4 oz US) sample
was collected to observe the changes in sediment
concentrations in the runoff solution. Preliminary observations
are that the two grasses are superior in reducing the sediment in
runoff especially under higher flow conditions.
OYSTER REEF WAVE BLOCK OF COASTAL
WETLAND PLANNING PROTECTION AND
RESTORATION. John Foret and Joy Merino, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
The techniques for wetland restoration in Louisiana are
diverse. Where restoration has been unsuccessful, new
methods must be designed and tested. The western Louisiana
Gulf shoreline provides opportunities to test new technology to
improve restoration effectiveness. The National Marine
Fisheries Service (NOAA) and Louisiana Office of Coastal
Protection and Restoration are using a lightweight, modular
shoreline protection device installed this year along the
Louisiana Gulf shoreline. It is designed with agricultural by
products to both attract oyster spat, while providing enhanced
nutrient conditions for rapid oyster growth. Unlike many
structural restoration methods, this is a self-sustaining
technique that will increase shoreline protection, as it becomes
a living structure.
The interlocking design stabilizes the structure, simplifies
production and assembly of the structure, but most important to
NOAA it reduces the risk of shoreline debris that can result
from failed restoration or storm events. Materials, like sand
the future of their farming program, this beneficial wetland
process may facilitate the use of moist-soil impoundments in
agricultural rotations for corn production in low salinity soils.
EVALUATING BARRIER ISLAND HABITATS FOR
WINTERING WATERBIRDS. David Curtiss and Aaron R.
Pierce, Department of Biological Sciences, Nicholls State
University.
Louisiana’s barrier islands are critical for protecting coastal
areas from erosion caused by wind and wave energy but are
degrading rapidly as subsidence and erosion reduce their
landmass. Restoration projects have been implemented to
preserve and enhance both the storm buffering attributes of
islands and their unique habitats. In addition to coastal
protection, islands such as the Isles Dernieres Barrier Islands
Refuge (IDBIR) provide important waterbird habitats
throughout the year including during the non-breeding months
of winter. Although the IDBIR is utilized by waterbirds during
the non-breeding months, little information exists on how
waterbirds utilize the islands or the availability of suitable
habitat. The goal of my study is to determine how the IDBIR
is being utilized by wintering waterbirds based on indices of
abundance, habitat use, and prey availability. I conducted
surveys during the winter period (Nov. 2010-March 2011 and
Oct. 2011-March 2012) and recorded waterbird species
richness, abundance, and behavior by island and habitat type.
Additionally, prey availability, a measure of waterbird foraging
quality, was estimated by analyzing invertebrate samples
collected from individual habitats among islands. Analysis of
the survey data suggests that West Raccoon and Whiskey
islands are of the greatest importance to waterbirds based on
average species richness and abundance per survey.
Additionally, intertidal and flat areas were the most preferred
habitat types for foraging birds. Results of this study may be
used to enhance restoration and management activities on
barrier islands and improve habitat conditions for wintering
waterbirds.
NOCTURNAL HABITAT SELECTION OF THE
AMERICAN WOODCOCK (SCOLOPAX MINOR) IN
SOUTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA. James C. Haynes1,
Jeffery Duguay2, and Kim Marie Tolson1, 1Department of
Biology, University of Louisiana Monroe, 2Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Baton Rouge.
The American woodcock (Scolopax minor) is considered a
popular game bird in eastern North America. Since the
beginning of Singing-ground Surveys in the late 1960’s,
woodcock have experienced long-term (1968-2011) population
declines on the breeding grounds. Wing collection surveys
from hunters also show long-term declines. These population
declines are believed to be largely due to habitat loss created
by current agriculture and societal land practices creating a
reduction in adequate early successional habitat. Low survival
rates reported during the winter season may partially explain
the long-term declines in woodcock populations. Suitable
nocturnal habitat availability, not hunting mortality, is
suspected to play the largest role in survivability of woodcock
on wintering grounds. Nocturnal habitat selection of the
woodcock on the wintering grounds was examined using four
popular land management techniques: mowing, burning,
disking, and a mow/burn combination. A total of 144
woodcock were captured from November 2011 to February
2012 with an additional 174 flushes recorded. Mowed and
burned treatments were selected more frequently (P< 0.008)
other potential factors, the weevil has had some challenges as a
fully successful bio-control agent in areas of Louisiana. We
have collected samples throughout the Preserve and, using
Berlese funnels, detected the presence of C. salviniae in
locations where weevil infested Salvinia was introduced as
well as in non-introduced areas. The weevils appear to be
currently thriving, but continued monitoring is needed to see if
they are able to effectively control the Giant Salvinia.
EVALUATION OF NATURAL VEGETATION FOR
SEDIMENT RUNOFF REDUCTION. Virginia Soileau and
Jenneke M. Visser, School of Geosciences, University of
Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504.
Vegetative filter strips have been a suggested best management
practice (BMP) in the United States for several years. The
National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and other
resource conservation agencies recommend filter/buffer strips
to conserve and/or replenish lost soil due to runoff from
agricultural land. Several types of vegetation have been
suggested, but most involve non-native species. In this study
we investigated three types of Louisiana regional vegetation,
two grasses harvested from Cade Farm (Sorghastrum nutans
(L.) Nash. , and Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.) and one dicot
harvested from the Center of Ecology and Environmental
Technology (CEET) (Helianthus mollis Lam.). We used six 0.6
m by 1.2 m plot boxes (2x4 ft), two replicate boxes per species.
We measured the stem density in each box with line intercept
method, to relate the physical drag of the vegetation to its
ability to reduce suspended sediments (TSS). Because we
wanted to mimic runoff conditions only, the boxes were
flooded prior to each run to simulate saturation point of the soil
before runoff. Each runoff experiment consisted of 19 liters (5
crabs = 70.48 cm +/- 9.63. Our results suggest a trend for
enhanced growth in the presence of fiddler crabs, however our
values were not significantly different. To support the
restoration of coastal Louisiana, there is a high demand to
cultivate the dominant vegetative species, S. alterniflora. Our
continuing studies will seek to characterize whether Spartina
cultivation may be enhanced with the addition of fiddler crabs
as a facultative symbiont. This project was supported by the
Nicholls Institute of Seafood Safety, the Louisiana Native Plant
Initiative, and the Nicholls Honors Program.
BIOCONTROL EFFORT FOR GIANT SALVINIA IN
THE BARATARIA PRESERVE. Brittany Harris1, Kaci
Fisher2, Julie Whitbeck3, 1Department of Biological Sciences,
University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148, 2School
of Coast and Environment, Louisiana State University, Baton
Rouge, LA 70803, 3Ecologist, Resource Management, Jean
Lafitte NHP, New Orleans, LA 70130.
Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) is an invasive aquatic plant
species from southeastern Brazil that has invaded the United
States waterways since the 1990s. Similar to other invasive
aquatics, they are ecologically and economically detrimental to
wetland ecosystems if left unchecked. The global outbreak of
S. molesta has currently been restrained since the introduction
of the weevil, Cyrtobagous salviniae (Curculionidae),
a native predator of the free-floating salvinia fern. In 2006,
Giant Salvinia was first discovered to be a problem in Jean
Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve, and now
dominates the Barataria waterways. The Park appointed us as
Americorps Environmental Stewards to develop a biocontrol
monitoring protocol that would be most effective in this area.
However, due to variables such as temperature, hydrology, and
than mowed/burned and disked treatments, accounting for
84.3% of activity observed when considering all woodcock
captures and flushes. Mowed treatments were more frequently
utilized by juvenile male woodcock than all other treatments
(P< 0.006).
MIGRATION OF BALD EAGLES FROM LOUISIANA.
Nickolas R. Smith1, Alan D. Afton2, Thomas J. Hess, Jr.3 ,
1
School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State
University, 2U.S. Geological Survey Louisiana Cooperative
Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 3Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries, Rockefeller Refuge, Grand Chenier.
Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are considered
uncommon residents in Louisiana and rarely are observed in
the state during June, July and August. The cause of the
seasonal decline in observations has not been documented, but
we hypothesized that Louisiana eagles exhibit summer
migrations similar to those in other southern regions, flying to
northern states and returning in the fall. From January–April
2012, we captured Bald Eagles with rocket-nets in southeastern
Louisiana and fitted them with solar-powered global
positioning system (GPS) satellite transmitters. Our objectives
were to identify departure dates, migration routes and stopover
sites of 5 adults and 4 sub-adults. As of 29 June 2012, all but
one adult had migrated north from Louisiana, going as far
north as Northwest Territories, Canada. Sub-adults departed
earlier (mid-March to mid-April) than did migrant adults (early
May to late June). All migrant eagles used from 6 to
13stopover sites ( =8.4±1.0) during migration and stayed an
average of 5±0.8 days (range = 1.6-28.7) at each site. Our
preliminary results are consistent with the hypothesis that
Louisiana Bald Eagles exhibit northbound summer migrations.
WASTE RICE, MOIST-SOIL SEED, AND WATERBIRD
ABUNDANCE IN RICE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN
LOUISIANA AND TEXAS. Joseph Marty1, J. Brain Davis1,
Richard M. Kaminski1, Michael G. Brasher2, Guiming Wang1,
1
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture,
Mississippi State University, 2Gulf Coast Joint Venture,
National Wetlands Research Center, Lafayette.
Rice fields are important agricultural habitats for waterbirds
(waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds) worldwide. In the Texas
Mid-Coast (TMC) and Louisiana Chenier Plain (LCP),
>167,458 ha of rice are cultivated annually. Precise estimates
of abundance of waste grain and natural seeds in harvested and
idle rice fields are needed to guide conservation of waterbird
habitat in this region. Our objectives were to estimate and
compare waste rice and moist-soil seed abundance among rice
production systems, geographic regions, and time-periods
relevant to waterfowl conservation planning, as well as to
estimate waterbird density during autumn-winter on rice fields
in the Gulf Coastal Prairies of Louisiana and Texas. We
collected 2000 soil cores from harvested and idle rice fields in
the TMC and LCP during summer-fall 2010. In the LCP, we
detected a 68% increase in waste seed abundance between first
and ratoon harvests but only a 3% decrease between periods in
the TMC. We also surveyed waterbirds in these fields
classified by seven different management regimes. In
Louisiana, we detected ~190 birds/wetland ha in flooded idle
fields and ~100 birds/wetland ha in flooded ratoon rice fields.
In Texas, greatest densities of waterbirds occurred in harvested,
flooded ratoon rice fields and secondarily in idled rice fields
with standing or disked vegetation, emphasizing the
importance of moist-soil and flooded wetlands to resident and
migratory birds. Our pilot study precedes a similar, long-term
with radio transmitters. The maximum distance traveled by any
bird from the breeding colony was 11.97 km. Of these, 26
locations (10%) were documented at night when skimmers
were actively foraging. The mean home-range size was 50.00
ha (range = 10.62−243.78 ha; n = 11). Our results on breeding
success and habitat utilization are crucial for determining
priority sites to protect and manage for the conservation of
Black Skimmers in the coastal Louisiana ecosystem. With the
rapid rate of land loss in coastal Louisiana, additional
management efforts are needed to improve the quality and
quantity of breeding and foraging habitat available for Black
Skimmers.
GROWTH OF SMOOTH CORDGRASS IN THE
PRESENCE AND ABSENCE OF FIDDLER CRABS.
Aimee Hafkesbring and Grary LaFleur, Jr., Department of
Biological Sciences, Nicholls State University.
Smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora, is a dominant
perennial plant species found across the Louisiana coast. The
Long-wave Gulf fiddler crab, Uca longisignalis, is a macrobenthic crustacean that may exist in a facultative mutualistic
relationship with Spartina. The basis of our experiment was to
test whether S. alterniflora growth is different in the presence
of U. longisignalis. Mesocosms were created at the Nicholls
Farm containing a mixture of sandy soil equilibrated in a
raceway kept at 10 ppt salinity in a greenhouse for thirteen
weeks. In each mesocosm, the ‘Vermilion’ ecotype of smooth
cordgrass was cultivated in the absence or presence of fiddler
crabs at low, medium, and high abundance. Preliminary plant
length was measured as follows: grass with no crabs = 58.04
cm +/- 28.65; grass with six crabs = 60.40 cm +/- 18.43; grass
with twelve crabs = 80.53 cm +/- 10.16; grass with twenty four
habitats with the greatest mean number of species and
individuals were the Gulf-side and Bay-side intertidal zones.
Invertebrate data indicate that the Raccoon islands also have
the greatest mean prey biomass per sample. Among habitats,
both the Bayside and Gulfside intertidal zones had the greatest
mean prey biomass per sample. The results of this study
provide critical information regarding waterbirds’ year-round
use of the IDIC and may be incorporated into management
plans that may restore or enhance barrier islands.
NESTING AND FORAGING ECOLOGY OF BLACK
SKIMMERS (RYNCHOPSNIGER) IN COASTAL
LOUISIANA FOLLOWING THE BP OIL SPILL.
Brehan C. Furfey¹, Aaron R. Pierce², James C. Bednarz¹,
¹Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University,
Jonesboro, AR, 72401, ²Department of Biological Sciences,
Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA 70310.
We monitored the reproductive and foraging ecology of Black
Skimmers (Rynchops niger) on the Isles Dernieres Barrier
Refuge (IDBR) in coastal Louisiana from May−August 2011.
Similar to many coastal birds, there is a paucity of information
on the effects of oiling events on skimmer reproductive and
foraging ecology. In 2011, we documented skimmers nesting at
only two sites on the refuge, West and East Raccoon islands.
Of the nests monitored (n = 62), 53.2% of nests hatched young
successfully, while46.8% of the nests failed due to
abandonment, predation, or flooding. Compared to data
collected before and during the oil spill in 2009 and 2010,
Black Skimmer reproductive success seemed to have recovered
to some degree in 2011, but data on fledgling survival suggest
that the population in the IDBR is currently in decline. In
addition, we captured 39 skimmers, 20 of which were equipped
research to be conducted through 2013 in association with the
Gulf Coast Joint Venture and the Migratory Bird Habitat
Initiative.
EFFECTS OF HABITAT EDGES AND NEST SITE
CHARACTERISTICS ON PAINTED BUNTING NEST
SURVIVAL. Phillip L. Vasseur and Paul L. Lerberg,
Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Significant population declines of Painted Buntings (Passerina
ciris) over the past several decades have led to their recent
classification as a species of conservation concern. Monitoring
their nest success and habitat use is essential to conservation
efforts in order to critically evaluate the suitability of nesting
habitats. To understand which factors influence Painted
Bunting nest survival, we monitored 41 nests in south-central
LA in 2010 and 2011. Vegetation measurements were collected
at nest sites and non-nest sites to quantify habitat
characteristics. We used an information-theoretic approach to
evaluate support for multiple models estimating nest success.
Highly supported models indicated strong negative effects of
cowbird parasitism and positive effects of increased canopy
cover and distance to habitat edge on daily survival rates. The
overall daily survival rate (0.944 ± 0.03) and probability of
survival (0.251 ± 0.02) suggest the breeding productivity of
Painted Buntings is likely high enough to sustain the study
population despite a moderately high parasitism rate. We also
conducted point count surveys and discovered Painted Bunting
density was greatest in treeline habitats compared to open
scrub/shrub and mature forest edges. Treelines had the highest
mean density of large trees and percent canopy cover. Because
nest survival was higher in areas of greater canopy cover, nests
placed in treelines may have been better protected from avian
predators and cowbirds than nests in scrub/shrub and along
forest edges. Painted Buntings could benefit from management
practices that reduce short grass foraging areas preferred by
cowbirds and create/maintain treeline habitats.
EFFECTS OF PREDATOR REMOVAL ON DUCK NEST
SUCCESS IN LOW GRASSLAND DENSITY
LANDSCAPES IN NORTH DAKOTA. Michael J. Buxton
and Frank C. Rohwer. School of Renewable Natural
Resources, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.
Duck nesting habitat in the US prairie pothole region is in a rapid
decline because of massive losses in CRP acreage and the
increase of commodity prices leading to more crop production.
Reduced cover and greater edge allows greater nest predator
mobility (Horn et al, 2005) and shifts the predator community to
favor meso-predators that are particularly efficient predators of
nesting ducks (Johnson et al, 1989). We hypothesize that lethal
reduction of skunks, fox and raccoons would be particularly
effective management in landscapes with little (less than 10%)
nesting cover. Over the three years (2010-2012) of the study, we
monitored nests on four – 36 square mile study blocks each year.
Two of these blocks were trapped for predators while the other
two blocks were not trapped and served as control blocks. In
2010, nest success on trapped blocks was 18% vs 7% on control
blocks. In 2011, nest success on trapped blocks was 41% vs
37% on control blocks. In 2012, nest success on trapped blocks
was 41% vs 17% on control blocks. These results suggest that
predator removal has a positive effect on duck nest success in
low grassland density landscapes. Over the past few years,
overall duck breeding populations have been on the rise, with
2012 counts at record numbers, so there is no immediate need for
intensive management. However, if available nesting habitat
fence arrays, each with 6 funnel traps and 4 pitfall traps, timeconstrained visual encounter surveys, coverboards, and PVC
pipes. For all techniques combined, total species richness for
the west side and the Mollicy Unit are 23 and 14, respectively.
Total species richness was not significantly different between
the two sides (P = 0.0835). Catch per unit effort was also not
significantly different between the two sides (P = 0.8932).
BARRIER ISLAND HABITAT USE BY WINTERING
WATERBIRDS. David Curtiss and Aaron R. Pierce,
Department of Biological Sciences, Nicholls State University.
The barrier islands of Louisiana, such as the Isle Dernieres Island
Chain (IDIC), are critical for both the protection of coastal areas
as well as for waterbird habitat. During the breeding season the
IDIC hosts large colonies of waterbirds which are critical for
sustaining regional populations. Waterbirds are also found on
the islands during the winter but little knowledge exists on how
the islands and their habitats are utilized. To determine how the
islands and their habitats are being used, I conducted waterbird
surveys twice a month per island from November 2010 through
March 2011 and from October 2011 through March 2012.
During the surveys I recorded waterbird species, abundance, and
behavior observed among each habitat found on each of the five
islands of the IDIC. Additionally, invertebrate samples were
obtained from each island by taking five core samples from each
habitat once a month during the first field season and twice a
month in the second field season. I used ANOVA to analyze
survey variables and invertebrate availability among islands and
habitats. West Raccoon Island had the greatest mean species
richness ( = 9.72 ± 0.71 species/survey) and greatest mean
abundance ( = 1420.31 ± 232.45 individuals/survey). The
structures to nearby natural, intertidal oyster reef habitats. Gill
nets were used to determine species richness, species diversity,
and catch per unit effort (CPUE) of transient fish at three
structures and three natural reefs (controls). Crab traps were
used to determine blue crab CPUE, number of female and male
blue crabs, and carapace width frequencies for three structures
and three controls. Minnow traps were used to determine small
fish and macroinvertebrate species richness, species diversity,
and CPUE at three structures and three controls. Preliminary
results suggest that these constructed reefs are an attractive
option for creating habitat for marine organisms, while also
protecting the shoreline from erosion.
STUDY OF THE HERPETOFAUNA OF UPPER
OUACHITA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
IN NORTHEASTERN LOUISIANA. Charles Battaglia and
John L. Carr, Department of Biology, University of Louisiana
at Monroe 71209.
Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge (UONWR) is a
federally owned and managed public property located in Union
and Morehouse parishes in northeastern Louisiana, USA. The
major natural vegetation type is bottomland hardwood forest.
The refuge is divided by the Ouachita River into two sections:
the west side, a relatively undisturbed habitat, and the Mollicy
Unit, a tract of land that is a site of reforestation and
hydrological restoration after agricultural abandonment.
Reptiles and amphibians are an important part of bottomland
hardwood forests and are significantly impacted by hydrology.
We conducted a terrestrial herpetofaunal survey at 12 sites in
the UONWR, 6 sites on the west side and 6 sites on the
Mollicy Unit, comparing communities between the two sides.
The surveys were conducted through the use of Y-shaped drift
continues to decline and red fox return to the landscape after the
mange outbreak, duck populations will likely suffer.
ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT ON DREDGE SPOIL
ISLANDS OF THE ATCHAFALAYA DELTA FOR
NESTING MOTTLED DUCKS AND SEABIRDS. Brendan
M. Caillouet, Justin A. Rabalais, and Frank C. Rohwer, School
of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University
Agricultural Center.
The Atchafalaya Delta is one of the most rapidly accreting river
deltas in the United States and is an important shipping lane
(Ford and Nyman 2011). Regular dredging of the ship channel
provides the opportunity to use dredge spoil to create artificial
islands. These islands have much potential to provide nesting
habitat for Mottled Ducks (Anus Fulvigula), Black Skimmers
(Rynchops niger) and several species of terns (Leberg 1995). We
hypothesized two active management strategies would enhance
production: 1) management of plant succession using herbicides;
and, 2) predator management using lethal trapping. We tested the
effectiveness of 4 herbicide treatments designed to create desired
habitat for Mottled Ducks and seabirds. Preliminary results will
be available in August. We determined nest success rates and
causes of failure of 52 Mottled Duck nests and two seabird
colonies. We trapped three islands using connibear #220s, but
caught no predators. All 7 islands studied flooded regularly due
to high spring tides compounded by storm driven wind
(Chunyan, Li et al. 2011). Of the 44 Mottled Duck nests
terminated as of 7/8/12, fifteen were destroyed by flooding, one
by mammalian predation, and one by avian predation. Seven
nests were abandoned and twenty hatched. The overall Mayfield
nest success for all islands was 18.8%. A seabird colony on one
island was partially or completely destroyed by flooding three
times, but was still active as of 7/8/12. A seabird colony on a
second island was partially or completely destroyed by flooding,
but was active as of 7/6/12.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF WATERFOWL
CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIP TO
WATERFOWL HUNTER PARTICIPATION IN
LOUISIANA. Lucien P. Laborde, Jr., Frank C. Rohwer, and
Michael D. Kaller, School of Renewable Natural Resources,
Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.
These findings are supported in our 2011 survey of Mississippi
Flyway waterfowl hunters.
Our results confirm an important relationship between
waterfowl hunting participation and membership in waterfowl
conservation organizations, but not “cause and effect”. They
suggest an opportunity for agency support of waterfowl
conservation organizations for hunter recruitment and retention
efforts, as well as for habitat conservation.
POSTER ABSTRACTS – Friday August 17th
Wildlife agencies have a vested interest in the recruitment and
retention of waterfowl hunters for financial, political, and
management support. Socialization theory establishes the role
of society, social organizations and institutions in facilitating
the behaviors, norms and relationships that support waterfowl
hunting. Delta Waterfowl Foundation (Delta) and Ducks
Unlimited, Inc. (DU) report 24 and 71 active chapters,
respectively, in Louisiana. We test the hypotheses that
members of these organizations participate more consistently
and recruit more actively than non-members.
We conducted a random mail survey of Louisiana waterfowl
hunters following the 2009-2010 waterfowl hunting season,
and received 727 usable responses (34%). Twenty-three
percent of respondents reported membership in Delta or DU.
Members participated more consistently than non-members
over the past 5 seasons (4.5 v 4.1, P < 0.001), hunted more
days within seasons (15.6 v. 11.6, P = 0.001), and had hunted
for more years (29.0 v. 23.7, P < 0.001), even though average
age did not differ (43.2 v. 42.4, P = 0.558). Members were
46% more likely to take a youth (P = 0.008), and 58% more
likely to take another adult (P = 0.006) on a first time hunt.
A COMPARISON OF FISH AND CRUSTACEAN
COMMUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH CONSTRUCTED
OYSTER REEFS AND NATURAL OYSTER REEFS IN A
LOUISIANA ESTUARY. Victoria Bacheler and Earl J.
Melancon, Jr., Department of Biological Sciences, Nicholls
State University.
Many marine organisms rely on eastern oyster (Crassostrea
virginica) reefs and adjacent intertidal marshes for an array of
ecological services. Unfortunately, coastal erosion is a major
threat to this habitat. The Terrebonne Bay Shore Protection
Demonstration Project (TE-45) is one initiative created to
reduce the erosion rate of shorelines while also supporting
oyster reef establishment. In this project, three constructed
structure types, TritonTM Gabion mats, A-Jacks®, and
ReefblksTM, were placed in three locations within Terrebonne
Bay, Louisiana. All three structure types have significantly
reduced the rate of erosion during the three years since
installation. It is now important to assess the ecological
services of the constructed reef habitats, and specifically in this
project to compare fish and crustacean diversity around the