Migratory waterfowl use of the Great Miami River channel in a heavily urbanized zone

Migratory waterfowl use of the Great Miami River channel in a heavily urbanized zone

Presenter(s)

GROUP Amanda Elizabeth Angelucci, Jessica T Carbonaro, Elise M Erhart, Hannah M Scharf, Emmett J Sheehan

Description

Even though the Great Miami River is highly urbanized where it runs through the heart of the city of Dayton, it is still used by many migratory and resident waterfowl. This study examines four miles of one of the most urbanized sections of the Great Miami River, spanning from the confluence of the Great Miami River with the Mad River, downstream to the Tait Station low dam. We expect to determine areas which attract the greatest numbers and species diversity of waterfowl. For our preliminary phase of the project, we hiked the entire channel on different days during the migratory season and waterfowl were counted, identified, and occasionally photographed at each tenth of a river mile interval. We recorded key environmental features that may play a role in waterfowl distribution and abundance. For the next phase of the project, we plan to quantify our assessments of the physical habitat with precise measurements of environmental features including water depth, water velocity, predominant substrate types, and presence and size of riffles, runs, and pools. In addition, we will measure characteristics of the levees including characteristics of the riparian zone and land use on the floodplain outside of the levee walls. By identifying and characterizing areas which are the most and least attractive to waterfowl, portions of the Miami River can be managed to encourage greater numbers and diversity of both the migrating and resident waterfowl.

Publication Date

4-5-2017

Project Designation

Independent Research - Undergraduate

Primary Advisor

Jeffrey L. Kavanaugh

Primary Advisor's Department

Biology

Keywords

Stander Symposium project

Migratory waterfowl use of the Great Miami River channel in a heavily urbanized zone

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