planning and evaluation

Monitoring and Research

GCJV population and habitat objectives are frequently derived in the face of substantial uncertainty, and models are frequently used to explicitly depict assumed population-habitat relationships. Focused research and monitoring efforts are required to test the validity of those assumptions, and to determine impacts on bird species populations resulting from conservation actions on the ground. Results from research and monitoring feed directly back into the GCJV conservation planning and evaluation loop, enabling population and habitat objectives to be continually adjusted as needed.

The GCJV works in concert with Gulf Coast universities, the U.S. Geological Survey, and GCJV partner organizations to design and undertake research and monitoring to address the critical assumptions on which population and habitat objectives are based, and to evaluate management outcomes. Examples of some of these research and monitoring projects include:

Estimation of Waterfowl Food Abundance in Coastal Freshwater Marshes of Louisiana and Texas (PDF)

Coastal Marsh Restoration Using Terraces: Effects on Waterbird Habitat in Louisiana's Chenier Plain (PDF)

Regional and Long-Range Movements of Female Gadwalls Along the Gulf Coast: A Pilot Study (PDF)

Survival, Habitat Use, and Movements of Female Mallards Wintering in Southwestern Louisiana (PDF)

2006 Beach-nesting Bird Census and Report for Coastal Mississippi (PDF)

Estimating Abundance of Wintering Scaup Using Offshore Habitats in Louisiana (PDF)

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