Investigator: Franklin Percival Scope of Work

Summary

This study integrates demographic and movement studies of the endangered snail kite with monitoring studies which document the response of snail kite habitats within Water Conservation Area 3A to the initiation and implementation of Interim Operation Plan Alternative 7R.

During the first half of this century, snail kite populations dramatically declined. Most researchers suggest declines in kite populations are correlated with changes in hydrology directly or indirectly. These include loss of habitat, effects on apple snail populations, effects on reproduction, changes in foraging and nesting habitat structure, and effects on adult and juvenile survival of snail kites.

Previous population viability model studies have determined that adult survival is the most sensitive demographic parameter in determining population viability of this endangered species and there is a general need for better estimates of these and other demographic parameters. For the past several years, the Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has conducted a monitoring effort to examine reproduction, survival, and movement patterns of snail kites throughout central and southern Florida to determine patterns of reproduction success, estimate survival of adult and juvenile snail kites, and determine the effects of environment on these parameters as well as movement probabilities.

Scope of Work

• 2003