Nesting Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) Habitat Site Selection and Management Using GIS

Ducks Unlimited’s Saginaw Bay priority zone in eastern Michigan is highly concentrated area of wetland habitat patches. A set of criteria to prioritize these wetlands is needed so that managers can most effectively decide where to focus conservation efforts in the area. Nesting mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) pairs were chosen as the target species to base conservation decisions on. A GIS based model was created using a series on inputs including distance to development, distance to existing reserves, state acquisition areas, wetland density, the Habitat Evaluation Network, and habitat connectivity. This model produced a visual representation of the best wetland patches for mallard populations. It can be easily modified to accommodate different species or criteria, and can be effectively be used by managers to make future conservation decisions.