Pierce Adams
Texas Tech University
Master of Science in Wildlife, Aquatics, and Wildlands Science and Management
High Marsh Usage and Fire History Analysis of Mottled Ducks (Anas fulvigula) along the Texas and Louisiana Coast
The first chapter of this project will involve me utilizing four preexisting datasets of telemetry monitored female mottled ducks during their breeding season recorded by Jena Moon, Erin Wheland, Beth Rigby, Elizabeth Bonczek, and Bruce Davis. I will combine these datasets with a recently developed high marsh data map courtesy of Nicholas Enwright of the U.S Geological Survey to analyze whether mottled ducks are utilizing this important ecosystem during a biological period that is vital to their population growth. This analysis will help managers better understand what areas mottled ducks are utilizing for breeding.
The second chapter of my thesis will revolve around an analysis of the historical fire return interval for Texas and Louisiana coastal marshes. Utilizing the Fire Management Information Systems fire records, I will combine the past telemetry datasets previously mentioned to better understand how prescribed fire practices, fire characteristics such as patchiness of burn and wildfires impact mottled duck habitat selection and usage. Since prescribed fire is a vital management tool for coastal managers, better understanding how this tool is impacting a species whose population has been in rapid decline will give them increased flexibility.
