Effects of Stream Channelization on Terrestrial Wildlife and Their Habitats in the Buena Vista Marsh, Wisconsin

[摘要] Stream channelization affected wildlife in the Buena VistaMarsh in Central Wisconsin by draining wetlands, setting back plantsuccession and decreasing habitat diversity along stream banks.Plant and animal species composition and abundance were studied ina continuum of plant successional stages from grassland to maturewoods on stream banks adjacent to recently dredged (6 years), olddredged (50 years), and natural streams from July 1974 through June1976. Sheet-water area and longevity, and wildlife use of threesheet-water areas with various degrees of drainage were compared inspring and summer.Bird and mammal species diversity and bird abundance increasedas plant succession advanced, until a mature wooded stage wasreached. Abundance of small mammals was related to the amount ofground cover and the diversity of habitats along the stream banks.Reptile and amphibian species diversity was greatest along naturaland old dredged streams having partially submerged branches andlow-lying, moist areas. Sheet-water area and longevity were greateron undrained wetlands than on wetlands adjacent to old dredgedchannels and were least near recently dredged stream channels.Waterfowl use, bird nesting, and reptile and amphibian abundance alsowere greatest on the undrained area. Invertebrates and various seedsmade up 98.4 and 1.6 percent, respectively, of the diet of breedingblue-winged teal (Anas discors) using sheet-water.

[发布机构] University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point