Intermountain West Joint Venture

Summary of Waterbird Planning

The foundation for the development of waterbird population and habitat objectives for the Plan Update comes primarily from the Intermountain West Waterbird Conservation Plan (IWWCP). The team is reviewing Key Sites, priority species, and population and habitat objectives identified by the IWWCP and will make modifications as appropriate for use in developing its chapter for the Plan Update. Habitat objectives will be developed for umbrella species only, as addressing habitat objectives for umbrella species should provide benefits to other species within that guild.

We are also considering utilizing landscape-based spatial models for breeding species at the Key Site level to develop habitat objectives that will be expanded at BCR/State polygon scale. These habitat objectives will be developed on varying scales based on each species. For example, objectives for island nesters, such as American White Pelicans, will be focused on breeding habitat only. Objectives for other species, such as the White-faced Ibis, may also include foraging habitat in addition to breeding habitat, while the Sora may be modeled at the entire landscape scale since its distribution and use of habitat is broad and extensive. For nonbreeding waterbirds, such as Sandhill Cranes, we are developing a bioenergetics model approach to formulate habitat objectives in key landscapes.