16. Biological foundations of waterfowl management: migration and population dynamics.

Question 1

Wetlands

Answer 1

Wetlands: areas flooded by water, either permanently or seasonally, where oxygen-free processes prevail
Importance:
* Reduce impact of floods, absorb pollutants, improve water quality etc.
* Important habitat for countless animals and plant species
* Including many threatened and endangered species
Management Implications for Restoration of Wetlands:
* Wetland management should meet seasonal needs
* Wetland complexes should be developed to enable birds to move to restored or natural habitats
* Management of water levels on restored wetlands should mimic natural hydrologic variations

Question 2

Hunted waterfowl species

Answer 2

• Geese: grey goose, bean goose, greater white footed goose, Canada goose, Egyptian goose
• Mallard
• Eurasian coot

Question 3

Management measures

Answer 3

• Classification of waterfowl by endangerment
• Protection of nesting birds and area
• Hunting limitation
• Prohibition of lead shot utilization: water contamination in wetlands
• Reporting obligations
• Trade restrictions
• Prohibition on planting near wetlands
• Protection plans (conflicting species): for example if there are two protected species in the same habitat  middle ground for managing both species
• Habitat development
• Network of protected area: for migratory birds, migration route needs to be accounted for
• Elimination of interference zones without disturbance
• Sustainable utilisation

Question 4

Management of population and management of migration

Answer 4

• Mapping the migration flyways, cooperation with other countries
   Example of cooperation: BONN convention, AEWA (African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement, working together with RAMSAR)
• Estimation of population parameter
• Monitoring
• Estimation of headcount
  Difficulties
  ๏The main problem is the migration
  ๏ Several countries: utilization without coordination
  ๏ Periodic/temporary occurrence
  ๏ Distant, or unknown changes: affect the national management
  ๏ The identification of cause-effects is difficult
  ๏Cooperation between the countries!

Question 5

International Cooperations

Answer 5

Bonn convention (1979), AEWA, Ramsar
Ramsar Convention (1971, Hungary 1979)
* Network of protected areas, protection of wetlands:
* Areas of international importance
* Habitat development
* Elimination of interference (energetic reason): zones without disturbance
* Sustainable utilization
“wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres”
Birds Directive
➢ Its scope applies to bird species naturally occurring in Europe - after their decline and vulnerability
➢ Proper protection of birds and their habitats
➢ Designation of SPAs (Special Protection Areas) for bird conservation
➢ Migratory species require cross-border cooperation

It prohibits the killing, capture and disturbance of birds
➢ the deviation from the rules can be very limited (including hunting), when the biological situation of the species permits recovery.
➢ strictly defines methods that can not be applied, particularly with regard to non-selective, large-scale effective methods.
- hunting periods are limited and hunting is forbidden when birds are at their most vulnerable: during their return migration to nesting areas, reproduction and the raising of their chicks

Hunting must follow the principles of wise use and ecologically balanced regulation - Hunted species are also protected!

Question 6

Lead Shots

Answer 6

• Lead in blood has a negative impact on blood pressure, kidneys function, thinking and foetus mortality
• The phase out of lead shot is in progress
• “All kinds of unnecessary use of lead should be banned”
• Lead shot must not be used for hunting: in wetlands and their protective strip. If there is not designation of the authorities of the protective strip: lead shots must not be falling back to the affected area with ban.

Question 7

Hunting

Answer 7

The hunting authority regulates the order of hunting of waterfowl species in international importance waters and national high priority water habitats
Regulated elements can be:
- the hunting places,
- methods,
- time,
- frequency of waterfowls’ hunting
- bag size (total and individual species)
There has been a reduction in bag sizes compared to the 1990’s

Question 8

Wild duck (mallard)

Answer 8

Management:
- The most important waterfowl species
- Hunting season: August 15- January 31 (but August 15-31 only on flying ways)
- Protection of nesting stock
o Habitat
o Reduction of predators + wild boars at the nesting places