Understanding Wetlands by Tracking Ducks
23 Oct 2014Science has discovered a new way to learn about wetlands. University of Missouri researchers recently fitted 20 mallard ducks with GPS trackers in order to closely track their migrations patterns as they make their journey from Canada into the U.S. Midwest and then back again.
The GPS tracking technology was able to follow their movements closely and to determine that the ducks rely heavily on public and private wetlands during their yearly migrations.
The GPS tracking devices attached to the ducks operated are solar powered and transmit the ducks’ locations every four hours so that researchers were able to monitor the ducks in real time.
Dylan Kesler, assistant professor of fisheries and wildlife for the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources at MU, stresses that this is a signal of just how important these wetland areas are and the need for substantial efforts to maintain and protect these wetlands.
Kesler reveals in MU News that nearly 90 percent of Missouri’s wetland areas have been lost within the last century. Nationwide, we’ve experienced a 50 percent decrease in wetlands since the early 19th century.
“This loss,” says Kesler, “has affected migratory bird populations and migration timing and routes. Our research shows the importance of these wetland areas to maintain healthy populations of migratory birds and other species, especially in an age of budget cuts for government programs protecting these few remaining wetlands areas. If we don’t maintain these wildlife preservers it will put dozens, if not hundreds, of wildlife species in danger.”
One interesting detail revealed by the study was that ducks currently forage for food up to 90 miles away the areas where they roost as they migrate. This news tells researchers that there are improvements needed in the conservation areas currently used by these migrating ducks.
One of the recommendations being made, according to MU doctoral fellow William Beatty, is to increase diversity in wetlands so that the birds have better food choices to consider.
Another surprising discovery of the study is how heavily the ducks are relying on private conservation lands to meet their needs while migrating each year.
With continued advancements and applications in GPS technology (you can read about many of them here on LiveView GPS tracking blog) there are likely to be more studies that are similar in nature to this one.
Hopefully all of them will lead to exciting discoveries about nature and what needs to be done in order to help nature recover from some of the impact humans are having on the planet and the natural habitats of its creatures.
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