Rapid assessment of habitat quality for nonbreeding ducks in Northeast Colorado

Abstract

The ability to assess habitat quality for wildlife is important for evaluating the effectiveness of, or need for, habitat management. Habitat assessment methods generally involve a tradeoff between usability and explanatory power and finding the optimal balance can be challenging. In 2013, Colorado Parks and Wildlife developed a habitat quality rapid assessment method for dabbling ducks (Anatidae) that field personnel used to evaluate wetland management projects. The assessment involves six multiple-choice questions related to vegetation and wetland structure and is designed to be used by people with little wetland ecology training. I tested the ability of the assessment to predict duck density and food availability at 44 sites in northeastern Colorado. I found that the procedure explained 10–22% of the variability in food availability and was not a good predictor of duck density. By altering the grouping of answers as well as the weight of each question, score associated with each answer, and substituting a new question relating to percentage of coverage of duck food–producing plants, the ability of the assessment to explain food availability increased to 30%. Overall, the assessment may be sufficient for relative indication of habitat quality, but if wildlife managers desire precise predictions, further refinement is necessary.