Effects of Stream Channelization on Terrestrial Wildlife and Their Habitats in the Buena Vista Marsh, Wisconsin
File(s)
Date
1976-08Author
Prellwitz, Dwain M.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Stream channelization affected wildlife in the Buena Vista
Marsh in Central Wisconsin by draining wetlands, setting back plant
succession and decreasing habitat diversity along stream banks.
Plant and animal species composition and abundance were studied in
a continuum of plant successional stages from grassland to mature
woods on stream banks adjacent to recently dredged (6 years), old
dredged (50 years), and natural streams from July 1974 through June
1976. Sheet-water area and longevity, and wildlife use of three
sheet-water areas with various degrees of drainage were compared in
spring and summer.
Bird and mammal species diversity and bird abundance increased
as plant succession advanced, until a mature wooded stage was
reached. Abundance of small mammals was related to the amount of
ground cover and the diversity of habitats along the stream banks.
Reptile and amphibian species diversity was greatest along natural
and old dredged streams having partially submerged branches and
low-lying, moist areas. Sheet-water area and longevity were greater
on undrained wetlands than on wetlands adjacent to old dredged
channels and were least near recently dredged stream channels.
Waterfowl use, bird nesting, and reptile and amphibian abundance also
were greatest on the undrained area. Invertebrates and various seeds
made up 98.4 and 1.6 percent, respectively, of the diet of breeding
blue-winged teal (Anas discors) using sheet-water.