Many waterfowl species are affected or are soon going to be affected by climate change in Wicomico County. This is a threat to the ecosystem as a whole and many people who duck hunt. These consist on migratory and non-migratory waterfowl species. However, migratory waterfowl have the greatest risk of problems with a changing climate.
Since one of the major factors determining the timing of egg laying is local factors such as temperature and food availability, this may cause problems in a warming climate. Climate change is clearly causing problems such as incompatibilities in snow cover, food supplies, and many other factors that would affect the migration and reproductive success of migratory waterfowl. It is likely that the longer the distance a bird has to migrate, the more likely that more than one aspect of the annual migration cycle will be disrupted on the summer grounds by local weather and food supplies. Migratory waterfowl risk some of the greatest challenges of a warming climate if they cannot adjust their endogenous clocks to match new environmental conditions[1].
"When I used to duck hunt years ago, I saw many ducks early in the season. Now it seems they are arriving later and not sticking around as long." -Joe Fehrer, The Nature Conservancy
Climate Change Threats to Waterfowl:
warmer temperatures
Temperature is one of the most important environmental factors for migratory waterfowl, giving them cues when to migrate and when to breed or lay eggs. One of the major duck species that is affected by this warming is American black ducks. The warmer temperatures have and will continue to affect their nesting sites and timing. In the northern regions of the Atlantic flyway (in which Wicomico county is located), there have been trends of warming temperatures. These warmer temperatures are particularly in winter and are expected to continue as the climate changes.[4]
Sea-level rise
As sea level rises, it alters the habitat of these ducks and flooding is much more common. Sea level rise would continue to flood out diverse fresh and brackish wetlands and replace them with open water, which ducks cannot use for nesting purposes. Black duck nesting sites have already declined due to agriculture and development, and sea level rise is another reason for decline. Many duck species such as the redhead, American wigeon, canvasback, northern pintail and ruddy duck also rely on sea grasses and submerged aquatic vegetation as a food source, which are disappearing with sea level rise[2].
Food availability
Food availability is one of the two major factors that determine the timing of egg laying and nesting. With climate change, food availability also changes. Joe Fehrer from The Nature Conservancy says as climate changes, specific nesting areas and food sources may be impacted and this can in turn cause a diversion in the arrival of migratory waterfowl species and many other bird species as well[3].
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References
1. How Climate Change Affects Waterfowl: Flyway Impacts. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ducks.org/conservation/public-policy/climate-change-and-waterfowl/how-climate-change-affects-waterfowl-flyway-impacts
2. National Wildlife Federation. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nwf.org/
3. http://www.jstor.org.proxy-su.researchport.umd.edu/stable/pdf/40538125.pdf refreqid=excelsior%3Abf8b2f68f29ee07c1c251540b3366bfe
4. Personal communication, Joe Fehrer, Coastal and Lower Shore Project Manager for The Nature Conservancy, 4 April 2018, Furnace Town Visitor Center.
Header Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, flickr.com
1. How Climate Change Affects Waterfowl: Flyway Impacts. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ducks.org/conservation/public-policy/climate-change-and-waterfowl/how-climate-change-affects-waterfowl-flyway-impacts
2. National Wildlife Federation. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nwf.org/
3. http://www.jstor.org.proxy-su.researchport.umd.edu/stable/pdf/40538125.pdf refreqid=excelsior%3Abf8b2f68f29ee07c1c251540b3366bfe
4. Personal communication, Joe Fehrer, Coastal and Lower Shore Project Manager for The Nature Conservancy, 4 April 2018, Furnace Town Visitor Center.
Header Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, flickr.com