Theses and Dissertations

Advisor

Davis, J. Brian

Committee Member

Woodrey, Mark S.

Committee Member

Brasher, Michael G.

Date of Degree

8-13-2024

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Forest Resources

Department

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture

Abstract

Louisiana’s coastal wetlands support millions of resident and migratory birds annually but account for 80% of the nation’s coastal wetland loss. Marsh terracing is a restoration technique that constructs segmented ridges in open water areas to enhance marsh conditions. Despite widespread use, their value as avian habitat has received limited study. Using ground and aerial surveys, we evaluated avian use of marsh terraces across 24 paired sites (marsh terrace and non-terrace sites) in coastal Louisiana. Avian surveys focused on breeding secretive marsh birds (SMB) and wintering waterfowl. Results indicate that presence or absence of marsh terraces influenced numbers of ducks detected, though relative abundance varied spatially and temporally. The effect on SMB abundance varied by species and environmental variables, including habitat structure and water availability. The study highlights the complexity of bird responses to marsh terracing, emphasizing the importance of considering species-specific habitat preferences and environmental factors in restoration planning.

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