Fire Effects in Gulf of Mexico Marshes: Adaptive Management for Black Rails, Yellow Rails, and Mottled Ducks
Citation
Lyons, J.E., and Stantial, M.L., 2022, Fire Effects in Gulf of Mexico Marshes: Adaptive Management for Black Rails, Yellow Rails, and Mottled Ducks: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BCQ50E.
Summary
U.S. Geological Survey and partners are testing the effects of prescribed fire on Black Rails, Yellow Rails, and Mottled Ducks in the high marsh habitats of the northern Gulf of Mexico region. The study is conducted in cooperation with Mississippi State University, Illinois Natural History Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state agencies, universities, and non-governmental organizations. The objectives of this project are to develop an adaptive management framework that allows land managers to reduce our uncertainty about the effects of prescribed fire on these species and the habitats on which they depend, and give managers tools and information that will help them determine the best management actions to improve high marsh [...]
Summary
U.S. Geological Survey and partners are testing the effects of prescribed fire on Black Rails, Yellow Rails, and Mottled Ducks in the high marsh habitats of the northern Gulf of Mexico region. The study is conducted in cooperation with Mississippi State University, Illinois Natural History Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state agencies, universities, and non-governmental organizations. The objectives of this project are to develop an adaptive management framework that allows land managers to reduce our uncertainty about the effects of prescribed fire on these species and the habitats on which they depend, and give managers tools and information that will help them determine the best management actions to improve high marsh habitat for the focal species. The datasets included here were compiled during the development and application of the adaptive management framework.
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Purpose
Multiple datasets were used to inform and apply the principles of adaptive management for Black Rails, Yellow Rails, and Mottled Ducks in the northern Gulf of Mexico. One part of the data collection was for a value of information analysis that was used to identify critical management uncertainties. Data for the value of information analysis were collected using structured expert elicitation methods with marsh bird and waterfowl biologists and managers from multiple states in the region. These data can be used with qualitative value of information analysis. Additional data collection was used to create a Bayesian decision model to evaluate efficiency and effectiveness of prescribed fire to enhance high marsh habitat for the focal species.
