SENR Seminar Series- Drs. Jacob Straub and Rachel Schultz 2/28/19

Two speakers will present on February 28th, 2019 in 164 Howlett Hall from 4:10PM-5:30PM:
Dr. Jacob Straub, Kennedy-Grohne Endowed Chair in Waterfowl And Wetlands Conservation, University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
Dr. Rachel Schultz, Associate Professor, State University of New York - Brockport

The title of their presentation is Healthy Wetlands, Healthy Bird Populations?: Evaluation of Wetland Restoration at the Landscape Scale

Abstract:

To reverse wetland loss and to regain essential habitat for wetland specialists such as waterfowl and secretive marsh birds, conservation partners collaborate to implement landscape-level restoration projects such as the 226,170-hectare Glacial Habitat Restoration Area (GHRA) in southeastern Wisconsin. However, biological objectives of these projects were not specified beyond the total area restored or enhanced. We quantified wetland-dependent bird response as well as factors indicating wetland condition, such as floristic quality, water quality, hydrology, interspersion of habitat types, and macroinvertebrate communities on 38 properties (2,364 hectares) representing a spectrum of conservation delivery programs.   Our results can be used as a baseline for monitoring and to predict where future wetland restorations  and enhancements are likely to have the most success.