Abstract
Aspects of streamflow and reproductive success of Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) were measured to explore how variation in streamflow impacts reproduction, and to consider how climate change might influence these parameters in the future. A 24-year data set (1990-2013) of Harlequin Duck breeding season surveys conducted on Upper McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park (GNP), Montana, USA was used to assess how annual variation in the proportion of broods to pairs (reproductive success) relates to streamflow. Between 1990 and 2013, GNP staff and volunteers conducted 102 spring surveys and 112 brood surveys counting 896 total ducks, 212 pairs, 56 broods, and 278 ducklings. Four streamflow metrics (pre-incubation streamflow - corresponding with nutrient acquisition and nest site selection, hydrographic peaks - corresponding with nest site selection and availability, value of the greatest single hydrographic peak post average peak flow - corresponding with risk of a nest washing out, and average streamflow during incubation - corresponding with foraging condition for an incubating female) were all negatively related to reproductive success. The first three of these metrics are predicted to become more extreme with climate change, with potential negative effects on breeding Harlequin Ducks.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 411-424 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Waterbirds |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 23 2020 |
Funding
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee permits and protocols were obtained and followed from the University of Montana, National Park Service and the State of Montana. Permit numbers: GLAC-2018-SCI-0003, Master Bird Banding Permit - 22685. All applicable ethical guidelines for the use of birds in research have been followed, including those presented in the Ornithological Council’s “Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in Research” (Fair et al. 2010). This work was made possible by all of the volunteers that helped with trapping, telemetry and analysis: DVM Dan Savage, John Ashley, Cyndi Smith, Barbara Summer, Jim Rogers, Barry Hansen, Art Woods, McKay Breuner, Heather Jameson, Lindy Key, Gerard Byrd, Peter Brumm, Dustin Allen, Tim Fawell and Glacier National Park Wildlife Biologist John Waller and Technicians Alaina Strehlow, Courtney Raukar and Mary Ann Donovan. This work was supported by The Federal Highway Administration grant to LJB, a Rocky Mountain-Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit grant to LJB and CWB, Glacier National Park Conservancy grant to LJB, Jerry O’Neal National Park Fellowship grant to WKH, Mission Mountain Audubon Society grant to WKH, National Science Foundation (PSI-0747361) grant to CWB, the National Park Service, The University of Montana Wildlife Biology Program and 2 anonymous reviewers at Waterbirds.
| Funder number |
|---|
| PSI-0747361 |
Keywords
- Glacier National Park
- Harlequin Duck
- reproductive success
- streamflow
