Date of Award
2008
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Biology
Supervisor
Dr. Scott Petrie
Second Advisor
Dr. Liana Zanette
Third Advisor
Dr. Bob Scott
Abstract
Increase in harvester efficiency has raised concern that there has been a decrease in the quantity of waste corn available for waterfowl staging in northern areas. I conducted this study to evaluate seasonal changes in waste corn availability and nutritional quality, as well as field use by waterfowl near Long Point, Ontario. I found significant decreases in both waste corn density and nutritional quality between fall (initial) and spring (final) sampling periods. Waterfowl use of fields was not related to initial waste corn abundance; birds used fields based on physical characteristics. Currently, waste corn densities are potentially limiting to waterfowl during spring migration, as average spring waste corn density (62 kg/ha) was similar to waterfowl selection thresholds (60 kg/ha) reported in other studies. No-till farming and the development of biofuels may ensure sufficient waste corn density for fall and spring staging waterfowl in northern regions of North America.
Recommended Citation
Barney, Edward Sydney, "CHANGE IN AVAILABILITY AND NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF POSTHARVEST WASTE CORN ON WATERFOWL STAGING AREAS NEAR LONG POINT, ONTARIO" (2008). Digitized Theses. 4291.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/4291