Avian conservation in the Prairie Pothole Region, Northern Great Plains-Understanding the links between climate, ecosystem processes, wetland management, and bird communities

Abstract

There is concern about the future status of migratory bird populations dependent on wetland and riparian habitats across North America during migration and breeding seasons. Since 1900, a majority of wetlands across the Great Plains have disappeared or deteriorated due to agricultural development, water diversion, and other land use changes. These wetland ecosystems are also highly vulnerable to predicted changes in temperatures and precipitation across North America. Wetlands in the northern Great Plains provide important resources to many species of breeding wetland-dependent birds, including waterfowl, shorebirds, marsh dwelling birds, and songbirds. For several migrating species that stop only briefly during their long-distance migrations between South American wintering grounds and arctic breeding sites, the presence of critical resources can determine the season’s breeding success or survival rates.