Researcher(s)
- Emma Feldmann, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Chris Williams, Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware
Abstract
Green-wing teal is a common waterfowl species that winters across the southern United States and is often a valuable game species. Public and private landowners may provide flooded impoundments to provide food for the teal to increase hunting opportunities in that area. Flooded impoundments come in multiple habitat forms such as corn, rice, millet, and moist soil units, which vary slightly in the amount and type of food they provide. The food provided in these impoundments can be studied to determine the value of these impoundments. The caloric value of these foods can be used to determine the energetic availability of this impoundment relative to Green-wing teal. Graduate student Cole Tiemann collected 560 samples from 6 different impoundment types along the lower Cape Fear River in North Carolina which is then sorted and weighed to find the caloric value of said samples. The caloric value can be used to determine how many teals can be supported on different impoundment types during the wintering period. This can be applied to similar areas to find carrying capacity and aid in the making of management decisions.