Wood Duck Production on a Northern Florida Phosphate Mine

Abstract

Phosphate-mine operations in Florida have directly disturbed over 51,700 ha of terrestrial and wetland ecosystems (C. W. Hendry, unpubl. rep., Governor's Office, Tallahassee, Fla., 1978). Even though these operations drastically alter natural habitats, they simultaneously create large impoundments (settling ponds) used for retention of waste clays. These impoundments provide productive habitat for many species (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv., unpubl. rep., Gainesville, Fla., 1978), and are important wintering grounds for migratory waterfowl (Montalbano et al. 1978). Resident wood ducks (Aix sponsa) use portions of the approximately 24,000 ha of settling ponds in Florida (U.S. Environ. Protection Agency 1978), but absence of cavity trees apparently restricts production. The objective of this study was to determine whether settling ponds can provide productive nesting and brood-rearing habitat for wood ducks when artificial nest sites are