Marsh Bird Distribution in Relation to Landscape Composition in ND (SWG T-9-R)

This study was designed to evaluate use of wetlands by a suite of non-game marshbreeding birds in North Dakota, and relate use of wetlands to habitat characteristics within the surveyed wetlands as well as wetland and upland habitat characteristics in the surrounding landscape. The study’s specific objectives are to:

1. Relate presence/absence and abundance of marsh birds in North Dakota to habitat characteristics of surveyed wetlands, including percent coverage by emergent vegetation, percentage of the wetland basin containing water, and wetland type.
2. Relate presence/absence and abundance of marsh birds in North Dakota to cropland area, grassland area, acreage of CRP, land protection status, and other upland habitat variables in the adjacent landscape;
3. Relate presence/absence and abundance of marsh birds in North Dakota to wetland acreage, percent of wetland basins holding water, and other wetland habitat variables in the adjacent landscape; and,
4. Provide baseline data on distribution of marsh birds in eastern and northern North Dakota.