FIRE EFFECTS AND USE
WILDLIFE SPECIES: Anas strepera | Gadwall 



DIRECT FIRE EFFECTS ON ANIMALS : 
Late spring and summer fires may destroy gadwall nests [20].  Ducklings
and molting adults are especially vulnerable to fire.  When not molting
adult gadwalls can probably easily escape fire.


HABITAT RELATED FIRE EFFECTS : 
Burning can change the growth form and pattern of nesting cover for
gadwalls [20].  Gadwalls prefer nesting in dense cover [16], which can
be destroyed by fire.  A study of the effects of nesting cover removal
on breeding puddle ducks at Lower Souris National Wildlife Refuge, North
Dakota, showed that after spring burning, nest densities of gadwalls
were greater in areas where the vegetation was not burned [12].
Additionally, gadwall nests were significantly (P<0.01) less abundant in
mowed meadows that would be expected by chance.  They made up 29 percent
of all nests found, but only 13 percent of the nests were in mowed
meadows.  Gadwalls will, however, use areas that have been burned if
cover development is sufficent when they begin nesting [12].  Changes in
vegetation cover induced by fire can also benefit gadwalls by destroying
unwanted vegetation and increasing vegetation preffed by gadwalls [15].


FIRE USE : 
Wetlands can be burned to reverse plant succession to a subclimax plant
community which is attractive to waterfowl [15].  Fire can be used to
remove the accumulation of dead vegetation built up on marshes over the
years and restore wetlands that are dominated with plants such as common
reed (Phragmites communis). Desirable gadwall foods such as pondweed can
be restored by burning.  Burning should be postponed until after the
nesting season to avoid destroying nests [15].


REFERENCES : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Wildlife Species: Anas strepera | Gadwall