Abstracts

Presented by Casey M. Setash - Email: csetash@rams.colostate.edu

Similar to agricultural production, the sustainable management of waterfowl populations across the western United States inherently depends on informed water management. Both endeavors are increasingly challenged by human demands for water, drought, and change in the seasonality of precipitation. Reminiscent of agricultural practices that were common 50-100 years ago, the North Platte Basin in Colorado is one of the last remaining agricultural areas in the region where producers do not use center-pivot irrigation, instead irrigating via flooding. Approximately 85% of all wetland habitats in the North Platte Basin are privately owned, a majority of which are irrigated pastures and hayfields. We will evaluate the effects of renovating irrigation infrastructure across private lands on breeding waterfowl. Specifically, we will conduct a before-after-control-impact (BACI) evaluation of waterfowl productivity and habitat use on working lands before and after irrigation infrastructure improvements. Measures of productivity will include nest survival, nest density, abundance during peak stopover and breeding periods, and brood movements will also be monitored. This research will be used to inform best management practices benefitting both agricultural producers and waterfowl managers across the region.