Bee Lake Watershed Restoration
The Bee Lake Watershed consists of 12,000 acres of prime farmland in Holmes County, MS. The 1,400-acre oxbow is the focal point of the watershed, providing excellent public fishing as well as water supply for agricultural irrigation purposes. Despite the wonderful aesthetics found within and around the lake, many environmental issues lay hidden from the laymen’s eyes. The weir that maintains the water level has begun to fail. Without the weir, the lake would nearly dry up. The lake also has a significant coontail weed problem. This reduces the surface acres of the lake that is accessible by boat, and when it dies back each fall, the decaying plant material reduces dissolved oxygen levels and stresses the fishery. Another problem is the amount of sediment that is reaching the lake from surrounding agricultural fields. Where large ditches enter Bee Lake, the lake’s depth is noticeably shallower. These issues and others have put an ominous cloud over the lake.
|
In 2005, a Bee Lake Watershed Implementation Team, consisting of over 40 professional resource agency staff, landowners, and other stakeholders, convened to develop the Bee Lake Watershed Implementation Plan. After nearly a year of revisions and continued consensus building, the Team released the final draft in June of 2006.
The Plan identified and prioritized issues including sediment, lake level, noxious aquatic weeds, organic enrichment, future development, fisheries management, and public access for immediate action. Within weeks of the Plan’s release, engineers began survey and design of structures to address erosion, sedimentation, lake level, and organic enrichment. State fisheries biologists began to develop new fisheries management plan, a noxious aquatic weed control plan, and initiated a feasibility study for funding a new boat ramp on the lake. And, the landowners began discussing the establishment of a homeowners association around the lake to control future development. Installation of over 125 structural BMPs to reduce sedimentation and organic enrichment began in September 2006, and were completed in November 2007. Implementation of vegetative BMP’s began in the spring of 2007 with 7.5 acres of native warm season grass buffer strips planted, and approximately 100 acres of riparian forest buffers are scheduled for planting in the spring of 2008. Preliminary monitoring data indicates a 68.5% decrease in turbidity from the winter of 05/06 to the winter of 06/07. This is the same time period in which most structural BMP’s were installed. In March 2007, a 40 acre portion of Bee Lake was treated for coontail with Sonar® herbicide. The chemical application was a great success, restoring boating and fishing opportunities in that particular portion of the lake. Weir construction is scheduled for the summer of 2008. A fisheries management plan and bathymetry model has been drafted by MDWFP and should be complete in the fall of 2008. A copy of the Bee Lake Watershed Implementation Plan may be downloaded from the RESOURCE section of the website. |
Delta Wildlife Waterfowl Habitat Enhancement Project
|
The Delta Wildlife Waterfowl Habitat Enhancement Project was developed in cooperation with Monsanto Company to provide technical assistance and water control structures to Delta Wildlife members who wish to enhance waterfowl habitat on private lands in the Mississippi Delta and improve downstream water quality. The program, which was launched mid-July 2015 emphasizes waterfowl habitat improvements by requiring participating landowners to hold winter water for 60 consecutive days over a 215 day period between September 1 and March 1 for ten consecutive years. Delta Wildlife has partnered with the Monsanto Company in the past for a similar pipe program where members could request a standard pipe size and design but this year was a little different as projects were done as custom structures to best suit the landowner’s specific habitat needs. 55 landowners were granted 202 pipes allowing for 6,338 acres of winter water for migrating waterfowl to take advantage of throughout the Delta. In addition to the structures, Delta Wildlife staff has conducted initial site visits with participating landowners and will continue to provide technical support of the project sites in the form of comprehensive management plans and additional site visits. Delta Wildlife would like to once again extend thanks to the Monsanto Company for their support of the Delta and embracing Delta Wildlife’s mission of conservation, enhancement and restoration of lands throughout our area.
|
Monsanto Mississippi River Partnership Project
Monsanto is partnering with multiple agricultural and conservation groups that are working with farmers to help reduce runoff from the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico.
The Nature Conservancy, the Iowa Soybean Association and Delta Wildlife are all working collaboratively with farmers to remove nutrients and sediment from agricultural runoff in the Mississippi River Basin. The National Audubon Society is working with homeowners and others to implement measures which can improve wildlife habitat and the quality of water entering the Mississippi River. The new initiative by Monsanto will advance their work and help determine the effectiveness of various conservation measures on improving wildlife habitat and water quality. “The Mississippi River is an ecological treasure and an economic powerhouse,” said Michael Reuter, who oversees The Nature Conservancy’s Great Rivers Partnership, which was created to help advance conservation of the world’s major river systems including the Mississippi. “This new effort by Monsanto will help show how we can make farming and conservation in the Mississippi River Basin more compatible so that nature and people alike |
benefit from improved water quality and enhanced wildlife habitat.”
“We’re proud to work on this bold conservation initiative which we believe offers a sustainable vision for agricultural landscapes wherein farmers can support our world’s growing needs for food, fiber and fuel in ways that not only preserve water quality, but also supports diverse and abundant wildlife populations,” said Jerry Steiner, executive vice president at Monsanto. “We believe this initiative can serve as an important stepping stone toward the goal of preserving natural resources and wildlife in the Mississippi River Basin for future generations.” “Farmers are emerging in key leadership roles through their investments, and by participating in the planning and implementation of practices that perform environmentally. It’s our goal to support them and help them make meaningful progress,” said Roger Wolf is Director of Environmental Programs at the Iowa Soybean Association. “Our goal is to use science — research and data — to systematically develop and implement a suite of management techniques that help production agriculture measurably improve stewardship while maintaining or increasing profitability.” “Delta Wildlife is pleased to join forces with Monsanto, The Nature Conservancy, and the Iowa Soybean Association to implement a large-scale project that will improve water quality in the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico,” stated Bobby Carson, Chairman of the Delta Wildlife Board of Directors. “While significant environmental benefits will certainly accrue from this project, it will also nurture a more sustainable and profitable future for agriculture.” Audubon is pleased to be part of this effort to foster a sustainable Mississippi River watershed for people and wildlife,” said Roger Still, Vice President of Audubon’s Mississippi River Initiative. “We are committed to engaging individuals to take action in their own lives to help address the water quality and habitat issues in the watershed. This effort compliments our broader Mississippi River Initiative.” |
PARTNER ROLES:
- Delta Wildlife will install Best Management Practices (BMPs) on approximately 1,000 sites on working farms in the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta region of the Lower Mississippi Valley. BMPs will be designed to reduce off-site movement of nutrients and sediments while providing secondary environmental benefits in the form of improved fish and wildlife habitat and water conservation. The project will include a monitoring and assessment component that will thoroughly document accrued environmental benefits.
- Monsanto will commit more than $5 million to support all of the projects. Monsanto will also work actively with all the four groups to share data generated form all projects with its farmer customers. The company will also encourage on-farm adoption of management practices that contribute to water quality.
- The Nature Conservancy will conduct a three-year conservation pilot in four watersheds in the Upper Mississippi River basin that include the Root River in southeastern Minnesota, the Pecatonica River in southern Wisconsin, the Boone River in northern Iowa and the Mackinaw River in central Illinois. The Conservancy will work with local partners, including farmers, in those watersheds to implement and study conservation techniques that best reduce runoff and lower nutrient and sediment concentrations in water that leaves agricultural landscapes. Through this project, the Conservancy will seek to determine which tools work best in a larger, sub-watershed system and will then communicate findings to crop producers to guide their farm stewardship decisions.
- The Iowa Soybean Association will conduct research on paired, micro watersheds in two areas: the Boone and Raccoon Rivers. The group will also coordinate conservation outreach in those watersheds which includes monitoring, measurement and evaluation of on-farm resources and environmental outcomes.
A NEW VISION FOR AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPES
This bold conservation initiative offers a new vision for the Mississippi River and agriculture landscapes by which farmers can efficiently produce higher-yielding crops for food, fiber and fuel in ways that further preserve water quality as well as support diverse and abundant wildlife populations.
Over the years, crop producers have implemented cultural practices that reduce erosion, runoff and sedimentation into our nation’s rivers and streams. These common on-farm stewardship practices include conservation tillage, no-till, filter strips and water control structures. Improved placement of fertilizers and precision application of fertilizers and agri-chemicals are additional, market-driven best management practices that contribute to improved water quality in agricultural ecosystems. Additionally, on-farm tools available to farmers today, such as, herbicide-tolerant crops are supporting the conversion of farmland to no-till practices which greatly reduces erosion and the emission of greenhouse gas into our environment.
In the future, crop producers are expected to have additional on-farm tools which can enhance their environmental stewardship efforts. Agricultural technology providers, such as Monsanto, are working to develop nitrogen use efficiency technologies and crop products that yield more on each acre of land. Earlier this year, the company announced its commitment to develop, by 2030, seeds that can double crop yields and reduce by one-third the amount of key resources, e.g., nitrogen and water, required to grow crops.
This bold conservation initiative offers a new vision for the Mississippi River and agriculture landscapes by which farmers can efficiently produce higher-yielding crops for food, fiber and fuel in ways that further preserve water quality as well as support diverse and abundant wildlife populations.
Over the years, crop producers have implemented cultural practices that reduce erosion, runoff and sedimentation into our nation’s rivers and streams. These common on-farm stewardship practices include conservation tillage, no-till, filter strips and water control structures. Improved placement of fertilizers and precision application of fertilizers and agri-chemicals are additional, market-driven best management practices that contribute to improved water quality in agricultural ecosystems. Additionally, on-farm tools available to farmers today, such as, herbicide-tolerant crops are supporting the conversion of farmland to no-till practices which greatly reduces erosion and the emission of greenhouse gas into our environment.
In the future, crop producers are expected to have additional on-farm tools which can enhance their environmental stewardship efforts. Agricultural technology providers, such as Monsanto, are working to develop nitrogen use efficiency technologies and crop products that yield more on each acre of land. Earlier this year, the company announced its commitment to develop, by 2030, seeds that can double crop yields and reduce by one-third the amount of key resources, e.g., nitrogen and water, required to grow crops.
DELTA WILDLIFE'S ROLE:
Wetlands treatment areas like this one in Holmes County can be used to reduce nutrient runoff from adjacent farmland and provide significant waterfowl habitat during the winter months.
|
The Monsanto Mississippi River Partnership Project is designed to reduce nutrients and sediment from agricultural runoff throughout the Mississippi River Basin. The Nature Conservancy and Iowa Soybean Association have focused their efforts in several large watersheds in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. Audubon has focused its efforts in urban areas. Delta Wildlife has led efforts in the Lower Mississippi River Basin, specifically, the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta region.
Over the past three years, Delta Wildlife has worked with cooperating landowners and producers in the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta to construct and distribute 1,000 water control structures for installation that will improve water quality and enhance migratory waterfowl habitat. Delta Wildlife staff recruited participants, identified and prioritized “on-the-ground” needs through site visits, and developed cooperative agreements outlining the responsibilities of all parties involved. In all, 1,238 structures were requested. Of the 1,000 awarded, approximately 51,572 acres were impacted. It is estimated that these structures are stopping approximately 9,203 tons/sediment/year, 10,080 lbs/P/year, and 20,160 lbs/N/year. 
|
BECOME A COOPERATOR
Any member active member of Delta Wildlife may be eligible to participate. Non-members may join Delta Wildlife to qualify. Sites to be considered must be located within the 19 Delta and part-Delta counties of Northwest Mississippi. Sites must also convey some percentage of water from agricultural lands. If these basic qualifications are met, potential cooperators are encouraged to contact Delta Wildlife to begin the application process at (662) 686-3370.
Delta Wildlife staff will schedule a site visit with potential cooperators to gather specific information about potential sites. The information will then be used to develop an application for each individual site. Applications will be ranked based on environmental benefits, primarily watershed size. The top 334 ranked applications will be approved on an annual basis for three consecutive years.
Any member active member of Delta Wildlife may be eligible to participate. Non-members may join Delta Wildlife to qualify. Sites to be considered must be located within the 19 Delta and part-Delta counties of Northwest Mississippi. Sites must also convey some percentage of water from agricultural lands. If these basic qualifications are met, potential cooperators are encouraged to contact Delta Wildlife to begin the application process at (662) 686-3370.
Delta Wildlife staff will schedule a site visit with potential cooperators to gather specific information about potential sites. The information will then be used to develop an application for each individual site. Applications will be ranked based on environmental benefits, primarily watershed size. The top 334 ranked applications will be approved on an annual basis for three consecutive years.
Quail and Grassland Songbird Habitat Restoration
|
In 2001, Delta Wildlife began the Quail and Grassland Songbird Habitat Restoration Project. By the third year, the project had established 78 miles of quail friendly field borders throughout the Delta, providing enough habitat to increase quail populations 3-fold in areas adjacent to project sites. The first three years of this project were funded by more than $1.2 million dollars worth of grants and contributions from private, cooperating landowners. As a result of these efforts and others, the USDA has established a new CRP Quail Initiative (CP-33) that will allow Delta Wildlife to continue to put additional quail habitat on the ground. Although the program is USDA’s, it is nearly identical to Delta Wildlife’s project. The only difference is, landowners will be much more thoroughly compensated for their efforts. Delta Wildlife will continue to provide technical assistance to landowners interested in quail habitat restoration and use this program whenever possible. Furthermore, Delta Wildlife will help landowners plant their new habitat enrolled in CP-33, as Delta Wildlife owns the only grass drill capable of planting a majoring of the plant material approved for this program.
The project generated several publications which can be accessed in the RESOURCES section. |
|
TNC/Entergy Project
During the summer of 2011 Delta Wildlife partnered with The Nature Conservancy, Entergy, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to design and implement a project that would restore wetland habitat and decrease agricultural runoff on a portion of the Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge (YNWR).
|
The YNWR encompasses 13,706 acres four miles east of the Mississippi River, near the town of Glen Allan. One of the primary habitat features is Swan Lake, a shallow 4000 acre oxbow lake dominated by bald cypress trees. Most of the lake does not receive runoff from surrounding croplands due to channels and levees but an 800 acre section known as the Anhinga Swamp still receives runoff from adjacent agricultural fields, resulting in sedimentation and eutrophication.
Specifically the goal of the project was to restore 450 acres of bottomland hardwood forests and wetlands that were previously agricultural lands. This will not only provide more wildlife habitat but also reduce nutrient and sediment loading into the nearby Anhinga Swamp. The swamp has seen significant water quality degradation over the decades. To accomplish these goals Delta Wildlife oversaw construction of an 8 acre shallow water ephemeral wetland that will serve as a natural sediment trap, 1.5 acre seasonal wetland (Winter Water), several low-grade weirs and bioreactors which will convert four nearby drainage channels into ephemerally inundated brakes. These practices along with the reforestation to be completed by The Nature Conservancy will provide long lasting habitat and critical water quality improvements to the refuge. |
Turkey Restoration in the Delta
Turkey Restoration History:
The restoration of wild turkey populations throughout most regions of Mississippi has been one of our State’s greatest wildlife management success stories. While this grand game bird occurred historically in large numbers in Mississippi, wild turkeys fell on difficult times during the late 1800s and early 1900s. By the late 1920s, the wild turkey would be nearly eliminated from the landscape across most of Mississippi and much of the Southeastern United States. The combination of unrestricted harvest (including commercially hunting turkeys for the market) and the widespread clearing of native forests was a disastrous formula for the wild turkey. By the time that famous wildlife conservationist Aldo Leopold toured Mississippi in 1929, he found the region nearly void of turkeys. Leopold wrote “Ten million acres, or a third of the State, is potential present turkey range. The present distribution is confined to probably not more than a million acres, and even here there is in most places only a bare seed stock. It is therefore safe to say that the wild turkey is 90% cleaned out as to potential area and 99% cleaned out as to potential abundance…” However, Leopold also saw great potential for the wild turkey to make a comeback in the Magnolia State, as he noted “on account of the dispersion of natural refuges in the form of swamps, no state has a more favorable chance then Mississippi to produce a large and stable crop of wild turkeys.”
The restoration of wild turkey populations throughout most regions of Mississippi has been one of our State’s greatest wildlife management success stories. While this grand game bird occurred historically in large numbers in Mississippi, wild turkeys fell on difficult times during the late 1800s and early 1900s. By the late 1920s, the wild turkey would be nearly eliminated from the landscape across most of Mississippi and much of the Southeastern United States. The combination of unrestricted harvest (including commercially hunting turkeys for the market) and the widespread clearing of native forests was a disastrous formula for the wild turkey. By the time that famous wildlife conservationist Aldo Leopold toured Mississippi in 1929, he found the region nearly void of turkeys. Leopold wrote “Ten million acres, or a third of the State, is potential present turkey range. The present distribution is confined to probably not more than a million acres, and even here there is in most places only a bare seed stock. It is therefore safe to say that the wild turkey is 90% cleaned out as to potential area and 99% cleaned out as to potential abundance…” However, Leopold also saw great potential for the wild turkey to make a comeback in the Magnolia State, as he noted “on account of the dispersion of natural refuges in the form of swamps, no state has a more favorable chance then Mississippi to produce a large and stable crop of wild turkeys.”
|
The restoration of the wild turkey was an important early objective of Mississippi Game and Fish Commission when it was formed in the 1930s. However, capturing wild turkeys to be used for restocking proved to be challenging, and early attempts to restock Mississippi with pen-reared turkeys failed. The advent of the cannon or rocket net in the 1950s would be the great breakthrough needed for turkey capture. Originally designed to capture waterfowl, the cannon net could be neatly concealed in the field near areas where wild turkeys were baited, and nets could then be remotely launched over the feeding birds. This technique gave wildlife managers the ability to capture large numbers of wild turkeys to be translocated into areas of suitable habitat. From the 1950s to the 1970s, wildlife officers and biologists worked to trap and transfer wild turkeys throughout Mississippi. Usually, 12-15 birds would be released into areas deemed suitable, and over the subsequent years populations would expand from these release points. Released birds flourished in areas with suitable habitat as long as they could be protected from overexploitation by wildlife officers and concerned local conservationists.
|
Turkeys in the Mississippi Delta:
Today, every region of Mississippi supports a viable wild turkey population. Turkey restoration efforts are completed in the State, with the exception of the interior portions of the Mississippi Delta. Turkey populations have done well in the Batture lands along the Mississippi River, and within larger forested blocks in the interior Delta (such as Delta National Forest). Eastern wild turkeys thrive in forested landscapes, and some mature woods is a critical component of suitable turkey habitat. Since most of area in the interior Delta (the land between the main river levee to the west and the Loess Hills to the east) is characterized by expansive open lands cleared for agriculture, much of this region has been unsuitable for wild turkeys, and has generally been avoided by turkeys using existing wooded tracts. However, hardwood reforestation efforts, buoyed by programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Wetland Research Program (WRP), have led to the conversion of several thousand acres of agricultural lands to young hardwood forests. These reforested areas should help expand suitable wild turkey habitat within the Mississippi Delta as these young forests mature. Most of these reforested areas are still relatively young (less than 20 years old), and it is not clear to biologists what value they might have for wild turkeys at this time.
The Delta Research Project:While much is known about the wild turkey and its habitat requirements, there is much that we do not know about how turkeys might adapt to the types of cover currently available in today’s Mississippi Delta. Therefore, a research project was initiated in 2009 using radio-tagged wild turkeys to help evaluate the suitability of hardwood reforestation areas as potential turkey habitat. This project is being conducted by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and Mississippi State University, with technical and financial support from Delta Wildlife.
Where to Release Turkeys?We considered several factors while trying to identify potential study areas for releasing turkeys. First, we reviewed a model developed by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) that identified potential turkey habitat in the Mississippi Delta by proximity to established, forested stands. Second, we solicited “expert opinion” information on potential turkey habitat from MDWFP and Delta Wildlife personnel who work within the Delta. Third, these two turkey habitat assessments were considered together to determine areas of greatest potential. Habitat areas adjacent to the Batture and Loess Hills, and all habitats already occupied by established turkey populations were excluded from consideration. Researchers used this information to model potential Delta habitat suitability for turkey restoration.
A total of three study areas were selected for turkey release. These areas range in size from 10,000 to 20,000 acres, and are located in Quitman and Coahoma Counties in the North Delta. Study areas are characterized by a mix of mature woods, young hardwood reforestation stands (up to 20+ years old), and active agricultural fields. Based on all factors considered, researchers considered these three landscapes to represent the highest potential for turkey restoration success in the interior Delta.
Bring on the Turkeys!The MDWFP took the lead role in trapping turkeys for this research project. During January and February, 2009, a total of 107 were birds trapped on private and public lands statewide. During January and February, 2010, an additional 45 birds were added to the study. We captured turkeys using cannon nets and rocket boxes, and then transported them in specially-designed turkey transport boxes provided by the NWTF. Each bird was fitted with a radio transmitter, and released on the study areas.
Following the release of these turkeys, students from MSU have actively monitored them using radio-telemetry equipment. The students locate each turkey by listening for the unique frequency from each radio transmitter. Students record data on locations of each turkey and determine if each bird is active or not. If we suspect that a turkey is not alive, we then try to make a visual observation of the bird to determine its status. Data from this study will help us determine survival rates, movements, home range size, and reproductive success of released turkeys.
The ultimate goal of this study is to predict where turkey restoration efforts can be successful based on available, suitable habitat. Rather than us making educated guesses, we want to let the turkeys tell us what should be considered suitable habitat in the Mississippi Delta. Once we know in which types of habitat turkeys can survive, we can use aerial photography to start identifying other landscapes that might be suitable for restoration. We should also be able to make predictions on how long it might take landscapes with high acreages of very young hardwood stands to mature into suitable turkey habitat.
Turkey Habitat Requirements:Turkeys have certain habitat requirements they need to survive, and areas that cannot provide these requirements will never sustain turkey populations. Turkeys need different types of cover for nesting, brood-rearing, roosting, and feeding. Taking any one of these components away from an area can render an area unsuitable for wild turkeys. For example, if turkeys do not have suitable nesting cover, they will not thrive in an area, regardless of how much food they can find there. Additionally, turkeys need suitable habitats over relatively large spaces. A 100-acre tract of excellent habitat surrounded by a landscape of poor habitat is of little value to a turkey population. The average home range of wild turkeys in good habitat is over 6-square miles! Turkey populations use landscapes, rather than patches of land.
Also, we know that mature woods are critically important to wild turkeys. Turkeys spent a great amount of time roosting, feeding, and loafing in mature woodland areas. The scarcity of mature woods, and the lack of connectivity between wooded areas, has greatly limited the turkey distribution in the Mississippi Delta. The thousands of acres of conservation trees established throughout the Delta will certainly have a positive impact on future turkey habitat in the region, but the reality is that it will be many years before most of these areas are functional forests. The current research project will help us to understand the current value of these habitats for wild turkeys, and will also help us plan future restoration efforts in the Mississippi Delta!
This project is a significant undertaking, and is only possible due to the hard work of many people. Thanks are certainly due to all MDWFP and MSU personnel who worked long hours making this project possible. Private landowners throughout Mississippi have graciously allowed us to trap turkeys on their property for use in this study. Finally, contributions from Delta Wildlife, NWTF, local landowners, and other partners have made this project possible. Over the next few years, we will learn more and more about restoring wild turkeys to the Mississippi Delta! For more information on this study, visit http://home.mdwfp.com/research.
Today, every region of Mississippi supports a viable wild turkey population. Turkey restoration efforts are completed in the State, with the exception of the interior portions of the Mississippi Delta. Turkey populations have done well in the Batture lands along the Mississippi River, and within larger forested blocks in the interior Delta (such as Delta National Forest). Eastern wild turkeys thrive in forested landscapes, and some mature woods is a critical component of suitable turkey habitat. Since most of area in the interior Delta (the land between the main river levee to the west and the Loess Hills to the east) is characterized by expansive open lands cleared for agriculture, much of this region has been unsuitable for wild turkeys, and has generally been avoided by turkeys using existing wooded tracts. However, hardwood reforestation efforts, buoyed by programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Wetland Research Program (WRP), have led to the conversion of several thousand acres of agricultural lands to young hardwood forests. These reforested areas should help expand suitable wild turkey habitat within the Mississippi Delta as these young forests mature. Most of these reforested areas are still relatively young (less than 20 years old), and it is not clear to biologists what value they might have for wild turkeys at this time.
The Delta Research Project:While much is known about the wild turkey and its habitat requirements, there is much that we do not know about how turkeys might adapt to the types of cover currently available in today’s Mississippi Delta. Therefore, a research project was initiated in 2009 using radio-tagged wild turkeys to help evaluate the suitability of hardwood reforestation areas as potential turkey habitat. This project is being conducted by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and Mississippi State University, with technical and financial support from Delta Wildlife.
Where to Release Turkeys?We considered several factors while trying to identify potential study areas for releasing turkeys. First, we reviewed a model developed by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) that identified potential turkey habitat in the Mississippi Delta by proximity to established, forested stands. Second, we solicited “expert opinion” information on potential turkey habitat from MDWFP and Delta Wildlife personnel who work within the Delta. Third, these two turkey habitat assessments were considered together to determine areas of greatest potential. Habitat areas adjacent to the Batture and Loess Hills, and all habitats already occupied by established turkey populations were excluded from consideration. Researchers used this information to model potential Delta habitat suitability for turkey restoration.
A total of three study areas were selected for turkey release. These areas range in size from 10,000 to 20,000 acres, and are located in Quitman and Coahoma Counties in the North Delta. Study areas are characterized by a mix of mature woods, young hardwood reforestation stands (up to 20+ years old), and active agricultural fields. Based on all factors considered, researchers considered these three landscapes to represent the highest potential for turkey restoration success in the interior Delta.
Bring on the Turkeys!The MDWFP took the lead role in trapping turkeys for this research project. During January and February, 2009, a total of 107 were birds trapped on private and public lands statewide. During January and February, 2010, an additional 45 birds were added to the study. We captured turkeys using cannon nets and rocket boxes, and then transported them in specially-designed turkey transport boxes provided by the NWTF. Each bird was fitted with a radio transmitter, and released on the study areas.
Following the release of these turkeys, students from MSU have actively monitored them using radio-telemetry equipment. The students locate each turkey by listening for the unique frequency from each radio transmitter. Students record data on locations of each turkey and determine if each bird is active or not. If we suspect that a turkey is not alive, we then try to make a visual observation of the bird to determine its status. Data from this study will help us determine survival rates, movements, home range size, and reproductive success of released turkeys.
The ultimate goal of this study is to predict where turkey restoration efforts can be successful based on available, suitable habitat. Rather than us making educated guesses, we want to let the turkeys tell us what should be considered suitable habitat in the Mississippi Delta. Once we know in which types of habitat turkeys can survive, we can use aerial photography to start identifying other landscapes that might be suitable for restoration. We should also be able to make predictions on how long it might take landscapes with high acreages of very young hardwood stands to mature into suitable turkey habitat.
Turkey Habitat Requirements:Turkeys have certain habitat requirements they need to survive, and areas that cannot provide these requirements will never sustain turkey populations. Turkeys need different types of cover for nesting, brood-rearing, roosting, and feeding. Taking any one of these components away from an area can render an area unsuitable for wild turkeys. For example, if turkeys do not have suitable nesting cover, they will not thrive in an area, regardless of how much food they can find there. Additionally, turkeys need suitable habitats over relatively large spaces. A 100-acre tract of excellent habitat surrounded by a landscape of poor habitat is of little value to a turkey population. The average home range of wild turkeys in good habitat is over 6-square miles! Turkey populations use landscapes, rather than patches of land.
Also, we know that mature woods are critically important to wild turkeys. Turkeys spent a great amount of time roosting, feeding, and loafing in mature woodland areas. The scarcity of mature woods, and the lack of connectivity between wooded areas, has greatly limited the turkey distribution in the Mississippi Delta. The thousands of acres of conservation trees established throughout the Delta will certainly have a positive impact on future turkey habitat in the region, but the reality is that it will be many years before most of these areas are functional forests. The current research project will help us to understand the current value of these habitats for wild turkeys, and will also help us plan future restoration efforts in the Mississippi Delta!
This project is a significant undertaking, and is only possible due to the hard work of many people. Thanks are certainly due to all MDWFP and MSU personnel who worked long hours making this project possible. Private landowners throughout Mississippi have graciously allowed us to trap turkeys on their property for use in this study. Finally, contributions from Delta Wildlife, NWTF, local landowners, and other partners have made this project possible. Over the next few years, we will learn more and more about restoring wild turkeys to the Mississippi Delta! For more information on this study, visit http://home.mdwfp.com/research.
Wetland Reserve Program
|
As a part of the Conservation Title of the Farm Bill, the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) has become the premier wetland restoration and reforestation program in Mississippi. As a partner with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Delta Wildlife restores wetlands and reforests approximately 1/3 of all WRP lands enrolled annually. Wetland restoration efforts are typically implemented throughout the summer and fall while reforestation activities are performed during the late winter months.
|
