Intermountain West Joint Venture

Summary of Waterfowl Planning

Wintering & Migrating Waterfowl

Habitat objectives for migrating and wintering waterfowl are currently being established for the IWJV’s four priority non-breeding areas including; 1) Washington’s Columbia Basin, 2) Southern Oregon / northeastern California (SONEC), 3) the Great Salt Lake, and 4) the San Luis and Rio Grande Valleys. Habitat objectives for migrating and wintering waterfowl will eventually be developed for the Joint Venture’s secondary non-breeding landscapes as well.

The Joint Venture is using the TRUEMET bioenergetic models to establish conservation habitat objectives for wintering and migrating waterfowl. The model was developed to estimate waterfowl habitat requirements by comparing food energy needs to food energy supplies. Waterfowl food energy needs are a product of the daily energy requirement of a single bird and time specific population objectives, while food energy supplies are dependent on the amount and availability of waterfowl habitat and food supplies in those habitats. Although this approach can be useful for evaluating current conditions and establishing habitat objectives, it can also be used to predict how changes in policy, land use, or habitat programs may impact birds.

Breeding Waterfowl

Breeding waterfowl are found throughout the IWJV, especially in landscapes that are largely devoted to cattle ranching. Maintaining these landscapes in their current form and preventing future development is the first and most important step to ensure healthy populations of breeding waterfowl. The JV is now examining the relationship between wetland characteristics (e.g. wetland density, type, and size) and breeding waterfowl numbers. Landscapes that contain wetland complexes that are associated with high densities of these populations will be prioritized for protection through the use of conservation easements.