A habitat suitability model for wading birds in a large subtropical lake: linking hydrologic fluctuations and nesting

Author

• Richard A. Botta

Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Gawlik, Dale E.

Abstract

Anthropogenic hydrologic alterations can affect the quality of lake littoral zone habitats for wading birds, such as the great egret (Ardea alba), snowy egret (Egretta thula), and white ibis (Eudocimus albus). One such lake in Florida, Lake Okeechobee, has experienced a marked decline in wading bird nesting since the 1970’s, concomitant with changes in lake level management. It’s hypothesized that a reduction in foraging habitat has led to the nesting decline; however, there is little quantitative evidence of this link. A habitat suitability model was developed for Lake Okeechobee wading birds that incorporate the spatial and temporal dynamics of environmental factors that affect wading bird foraging and tests whether foraging habitat is linked to numbers of nests.

Extent

45 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Recommended Citation

Botta, Richard A., "A habitat suitability model for wading birds in a large subtropical lake: linking hydrologic fluctuations and nesting" (2014). Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019. 917.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general_6/917

Identifier

FA00004082

Format

pdf