Abstract
AbstractThe ability to assess habitat quality for wildlife is important for evaluating the effectiveness of, or need for, habitat management. Habitat assessment methods generally involve a tradeoff between usability and explanatory power and finding the optimal balance can be challenging. In 2013, Colorado Parks and Wildlife developed a habitat quality rapid assessment method for dabbling ducks (Anatidae) that field personnel used to evaluate wetland management projects. The assessment involves six multiple-choice questions related to vegetation and wetland structure and is designed to be used by people with little wetland ecology training. I tested the ability of the assessment to predict duck density and food availability at 44 sites in northeastern Colorado. I found that the procedure explained 10–22% of the variability in food availability and was not a good predictor of duck density. By altering the grouping of answers as well as the weight of each question, score associated with each answer, and substituting a new question relating to percentage of coverage of duck food–producing plants, the ability of the assessment to explain food availability increased to 30%. Overall, the assessment may be sufficient for relative indication of habitat quality, but if wildlife managers desire precise predictions, further refinement is necessary.
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