Quail Habitat Assessment

Transcription

1 Quail Habitat Assessment A struggle for survival at the Pea Ridge National Military Park Created by Michael Moser, Environmental Special Problem, Kurtis Cecil, Instructor Special thanks to: Professor Lowrey, Alexa Baker, Rachel Billingsley, Jessica Sarratt, and Nathan Sorey EMPACTS

2 With the help of several other students and Professor Cecil, I had the privilege to work with the Arkansas Game and Fish Committee, and The National Park Service in collecting valuable data on the Bob-White Quail Population at the Pea Ridge National Military Park. Over the past decade, the Bob-White population has been in a rapid decline across the Ozarks region. The biggest threat to this species of bird is the loss of habitat. These creatures require specific conditions in order to thrive for future generations. The introduction of non-native grasses and the cultivation of softwood, coniferous trees, has become the main culprit in their decline.

3 Project Overview Location: 12 Stones Ranch in Decatur During the fall season, the Bob-White Quail pair up into groups that ensure their survival through the winter. They call out for other Quail at the end of October through November, just before sunrise. During these months, we would get up before the sunrise, set up in an open area, and wait for them to call. Unfortunately, no one in the group heard any quail during the semester. Before the Covey season began, we spent many hours at the Pea Ridge National Military Park mapping out points of interest. Throughout the semester, we managed to assess 5 focal points and map out several polygons within those points. With the Collector mobile application, we walked the perimeters of areas that had similar attributes. In the end, we were able to only find one polygon that is a quality habitat for the Bob-White Quail. Once the data was gathered, we spent the remainder of the semester, relaying our information into the ARCGIS online database.

4 Community The community of Northwest Arkansas and Bob-White Quail communities across the world can eventually benefit from the work that was collected. Even though we had not heard a single call all season, we collected valuable data on the habitat at the Pea Ridge Battlefield. Our focus was on a small area, but this information can be translated to any region across the globe. The Bob-White species requires a lot of bare ground and nearby protective cover. They find comfort at the edge of prairies. These birds are seeing a rapid decline in their habitats, and ultimately, a decline in the species. In analyzing their habitats, we can focus on bringing back native grasses the lush prairies. Conservation efforts at the Pea Ridge National Military Park have already began. Areas of succession and thick patches of softwood trees are being cleared out as we speak. Park officials are working to restore the Bob-White habitats by bringing back bare ground and native grasses.

5 Curriculum Through out the semester, me and the group were able to utilize the Collector application on our phones. This involved the collection of visual data and GPS information. Once collected, the information was interpreted and uploaded into the ARCGIS database. Due to the inaccuracy of our cell phones, we had to edit points and lines within the ARCGIS desktop in order to create the most accurate features.

6 Methodology From the first day of the semester, the class and Professor Cecil began our training. From September through October, we worked on learning about the Bob-White habitat and their behaviors. We also started mapping our first polygon before the Covey call season. Once middle October rolled around, we were out in the field at sunrise, twice a week, listening for the quail to call out. Out of the tens of trips we made to the Pea Ridge Battlefield and a focal area in Decatur, not one quail was observed. As their calling season came to an end, we finished mapping the other four focal points. For the past month, we have been working in the lab by cleaning up our data and relaying it into valuable geographic information.

7 Outside Data Collection The only outside web data that we used was a map that displayed all of the focal points within the park. This layer gave us a starting point and spatial awareness when comparing maps to our actual location.

8 Personal Data Collection We only needed to use the Collector application on our phones while in the field. We attempted to use a handheld GPS Garmin but came to realize the ease and accessibility of the Collector app. The NBCI provided us with spreadsheets and the proper training to analyze the Quail s habitat.

9 Project Results Click on image for Map Over the course of a semester, me and the group were able to analyze five focal points within the park. These areas were inspected and sectioned off into smaller polygons with similar features. Although we did not hear any Quail, we were able to locate one area that suggested a promising habitat in years to come. The green shaded area was the only region that offered enough bare ground and protective cover that might be a quality habitat. Areas in red, are either roads, ponds, or area that do not fit any of the criteria. The area shaded in pink is an area of interest. This is where the Park members are taking out trees and clearing the canopy for sunlight to reach the soil. This will help the growth of native grasses, and ultimately, help restore the Bob-White Quail community within the Pea Ridge National Military Park. From this project, I have gained vital skills in collecting and uploading data to the ARCGIS online database. I honed in on my skills in editing and enabling the right coordinate systems.