Atlantic coast joint venture waterfowl implementation plan
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Ownership/Protection:Past initiatives by State agencies and private entities have been able to protect and/or enhance approximately 8,903 hectares (22,000 acres) of land preserving much of the integrity of the Nanticoke river shoreline and upland buffers. The state of Delaware has protected nearly 8,498 hectares (21,000 acres of land on Marshyhope Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Old Furnace WMA, Nanticoke WMA, Trap Pond State Park and Redden Forest among others. In addition The Nature Conservancy has preserved over 161 hectares (400 acres) on the Middleford North Tract in the upper tributaries of the Nanticoke Watershed. The remaining 118,553 hectares (292,951 acres or 93%) are in immediate need of attention as development pressure and agricultural/sivilcultural practices continue to grow. Special Recognition:The Nanticoke Focus Area (watershed) was designated in 1991 by The Nature Conservancy as a “BioReserve and Last Great Place” due to the rich diversity of plant and animal species and its regionally significant natural areas (Whigham et al, 2004). Over 200 rare, threatened or endangered plant species have been identified in the Nanticoke River Watershed as well as 70 rare threatened or endangered animal species (Effects of Sediment and Nutrients o Plant Diversity and Species Composition of Tidal Freshwater Wetlands of the Nanticoke River Bioreserve). In addition, the wetlands within the focus area have been designated under the Ramsar Convention as part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Partners in Flight recognize wetlands and associated habitats across the peninsula as critical to neotropical migrants dependant upon forested wetland habitat. A minimum of ten million dollars has been allocated under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act to protect, restore and enhance wetlands on the peninsula and state agencies continue to place top priority on protection of remaining wetlands. Finally, the Delmarva Conservation Corridor was established under the 2002 Farm Bill to establish a network of public and private lands for a variety of purposes including maintaining biodiversity in the region (The Delmarva Conservation Corridor Information Sheet, 2003). Waterfowl: Historically, the Nanticoke Focus Area provided significant breeding, wintering and migrating habitat for a variety of waterfowl. Even today, large numbers of waterfowl are known to use the Nanticoke as they migrate to and from their northern breeding grounds. These species include the American Black Duck, Blue-winged Teal and Wood Duck and to a lesser extent the Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, American Widgeon, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, Common Merganser and Canada Goose. In addition, numerous species use the Nanticoke for breeding and nesting habitat including Black Duck and Blue-winged Teal. Table 1. Waterfowl species in the Nanticoke Focus Area.
Other Migratory Birds: The Nanticoke Focus Area offers opportunities for protecting and enhancing habitat for neotropical migrants including the Northern Parula, American Redstart, Hooded Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Prothonatary Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher and other state-rare birds associated with palustrine forested wetlands. Threats: Increasing residential development continues to be one of the greatest threats to the Nanticoke Focus Area. Between 1990 and 2020, the population of Sussex County is projected to grow just over 56 % (Delaware Office of State Planning Coordination, 1999). This residential sprawl, along with increasing agricultural and sivicultural practices, threatens to decrease water quality and reduce available habitat within the Focus Area for wildlife, particularly waterfowl. As a result of recent and projected increases in growth, there has been (and will continue to be) an increased challenge to balance various land uses with habitat protection. Conservation Recommendations: Protect, restore and enhance wetlands and associated uplands wherever and whenever opportunities arise within this Nanticoke Focus Area. Develop public and private partnerships to utilize existing funding programs and manage development in a responsible manner to maintain populations of wetland-dependent migratory birds and biodiversity. Long-term protection should be favored; however, multiple 10-15 year agreements for restoration and enhancement will be a primary tool to maintain wildlife populations on private lands. References: A Directory of Wetlands of International Importance. United States of America 4US011. Retrieved October 8, 2004, from http://www.wetlands.org/RDB/Ramsar_Dir/USA/US011D02.htm Delaware Office of State Planning Coordination. 1999. Shaping Delaware’s future: managing growth in 21st century. Dover, DE. 65pp. Earth Data International of MD, LLC. (2003). 2002 Delaware Land Use Land Cover. Retrieved October 1, 2004, from Delaware Office of State Planning Coordination website: http://www.state.de.us/planning/info/lulcdata/2002_lulc.htm Effects of Sediment and Nutrients on Plant Diversity and Species Composition of Tidal Freshwater Wetlands of the Nanticoke River Bioreserve The Nature Conservancy and the Mellon Foundation. (n.d.). “Maryland Dividends”, Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Retrieved October 20, 2004 from University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources: http://www.agnr.umd.edu/maes_exe/dividends/baldwin3.pdf Maryland – Delaware, Blackwater – Nanticoke Focus Area, North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Atlantic Coast Joint Venture, August 1990. The Delmarva Conservation Corridor Information Sheet. (2003). Retrieved October 8, 2004 from http://www.cbes.org/SL%20Delmarva%20Conservation.html Tiner, Ralph W. Jr. 1985. Wetlands of Delaware. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Newton Corner, MA. 77 pp Waterfowl Surveys in Delaware. (2004). Retrieved October 15, 2004, from Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental control website: http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/fw/waterfowl.htm Whigham, Denise F. Ph.D., Wellen, Donald E. Ph.D. and Thomas E. Jordan Ph.D., Nanticoke Wetland Assessment Study. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Newsletter, 16(3/4) pp. 8-9. Retrieved October 20, 2004 from Smithsonian Environmental Research Center website: http://www.serc.si.edu/education/gallery/newsletters/fall1999.pdf 7.2.3 Florida Figure 7.4. Florida waterfowl focus areas. 
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Focus Area: Gulf Coast, Florida Sub-Focus Areas: None 
Area Description: The boundary of this focus area is the inland extent of coastal salt marsh habitat, as identified by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Landsat TM data, from Franklin County (Apalachicola Bay) to Pasco County and out approximately 24.14km (15 miles) seaward, or the extent of sea grass beds. This area comprises about 845,365 hectares (2,088,933 acres), including 485,624 hectares (1.2 million acres) of wetlands. Major wetland types and their acreages include estuarine subtidal unconsolidated bottom 192,775 hectares (476,357 acres), marine subtidal unconsolidated bottom 152,693 hectares (377,312 acres), estuarine subtidal aquatic bed 63,062 hectares (155,830 acres), estuarine intertidal emergent marsh 58,269 hectares (143,986 acres) and palustrine scrub-shrub 19,468 hectares (49,108 acres). Ownership/Protection: Coastal lands are predominately under State/Federal protection from the Pasco/Hernando County line northward to the terminus of the focus area. Only a small percentage of the Pasco County coastline is currently in public ownership. Ownership is approximately 80% public. Special Recognition: Notable sites within the Focus Area include numerous State Wildlife Management Areas, National Wildlife Refuges (Chassahowitzka, Lower Suwannee, St. Marks, St. Vincent), Aquatic Preserves (St. Martin's Marsh, Big Bend Seagrass, Alligator Harbor, Apalachicola Bay), State Parks (Waccasassa Bay), and a State Buffer Preserve (Crystal River). Several conservation easements are located within 8-16 kilometer (5-10 miles) from the coast. Waterfowl: The Gulf Coast of Florida, principally from Apalachicola to Cedar Key, provides valuable habitat for waterfowl. Approximately 100,000 ducks normally winter in the Big Bend portion of the Florida Gulf Coast. In particular, large flocks of Redhead and Lesser and Greater Scaup can occur within 16 kilometers (10 miles) of the shoreline. Also present are Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, and Red-breasted Merganser (Table 1). Table 1. Waterfowl species identified in the Gulf Coast Focus Area.
Threats: Predominant threats include habitat loss and reduced water quality resulting from development and human disturbance to beach nesting species such as terns, plovers, and American Oystercatcher. Protected coastal habitats are threatened by insufficient protection of upland buffers and shortfalls in prescribed burn programs. Nitrate levels in coastal rivers have been rising since the 1960's and continue to threaten water quality. Sea level rise and the subsequent intrusion of saltwater into freshwater and brackish environments also threaten to alter coastal environments. Other Migratory Birds: Critical areas for shorebirds, terns, Brown Pelican and other water birds exist in this area. Species of special interest Include Black Rail, Wood Stork, Least Tern, Snowy Plover, Wilson’s Plover, Limpkin, Florida Sandhill Crane, Whooping Crane, Marsh Wren, American Oystercatcher, Snowy and Piping Plover, Short-Billed Dowitcher, and Seaside Sparrow. Conservation Recommendations: Protection of adjacent uplands should be pursued through fee title acquisition or acquiring conservation easements. Restoration activities should focus on improving water quality to minimize nitrate levels and implementing prescribed burning programs in fire maintained ecosystems. This may be accomplished through landowner incentives programs and cooperative management agreements. References: Cox, J. et. al. 1994. Closing the Gaps in Florida's Wildlife Habitat Conservation System. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Office of Environmental Services. 620 South Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32399. Florida Natural Areas Inventory. 2001. Field Guide to the Rare Animals of Florida. Florida Natural Areas Inventory, 1018 Thomasville Rd. Suite 200-C, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Myers, R.L., Ewel, John J. 1990. Ecosystems of Florida (Ch. 14 'Salt Marshes', pp 481-516). University of Central Florida Press. Gainesville, FL 32611. Pranty, Bill. 2002. The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000-2002. Audubon of Florida. Tampa, FL 33619. Southwest Florida Water Management District. 1997. A Plan for the Use & Management of the Weekie Wachee Preserve. 2379 Broad St. Brooksville, FL 34604. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 1992. Emergency Wetlands Resources Act, Southeast Region, Regional Wetlands Concept Plan. 1
This focus area includes portions of Alachua, Marion, Lake, and Orange Counties. A broad corridor of wetlands extends south of Gainesville from Paynes Prairie, south along the floodplain of the Ocklawaha River, including the Ocklawaha chain-of-lakes, and ending at Lake Apopka and its surrounding basin. Total area comprises approximately 319,273 hectares (788,937 acres), including 114,741 hectares (283,531 acres) of wetlands. Major wetland types include lacustrine limnetic unconsolidated bottom 46,767 hectares (115,565 acres), palustrine forested 30,008 hectares (74,152 acres), palustrine emergent marsh 19,431 hectares (48,015 acres), palustrine aquatic bed 2,262 hectares (5,589 acres), and palustrine scrub-shrub 5,054 hectares (12,488 acres). This focus area includes some of the largest and recreationally most significant lakes in Florida, as well as extensive areas of marsh and hardwood swamp. This region provides a rich diversity of habitats for waterfowl and other avian species. The wetland resources of Orange Creek Basin and the floodplain of the Ocklawaha River are relatively intact, although threatened by encroaching development, exotic species, and runoff. Lake Apopka and its surrounding basin have been considerably impacted by agricultural development, including the conversion of thousands of acres of former floodplain marshes to row crop production, urbanization, and hydrological alteration. This area also includes some of the largest wetland restoration efforts in the nation. Among the most notable of these efforts has been the acquisition and on-going restoration of nearly 8,094 hectares (20,001 acres) of agricultural lands along the north shore of Lake Apopka. This area is well known for its diverse and abundant bird life, particularly migrating shorebirds. Ownership/Protection: A substantial portion of the land in the focus area is under State or Federal ownership. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation and Parks, the St. Johns River Water Management District, and the U.S. Forest Service are the primary owners. Additional lands are under county or municipal ownership, and conservation easements are common for less-than-fee acquisition of conservation lands. Beyond the urban centers, private ownership is diverse and includes commercial timber plantations, private horse farms, and agricultural operations consisting of citrus, cattle, and row crop farms. Special Recognition: Special recognition sites include Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Gum Root Swamp, Lochloosa, and Emeralda Marsh Wildlife Management Areas, Ocala National Forest, and Lake Apopka Restoration Area. The American Bird Conservancy and National Audubon Society have designated many of these sites as Important Bird Areas. In particular, the Lake Apopka north shore restoration area has been defined as one of Florida’s few staging areas for migrating shorebirds. Waterfowl: The wetlands in this region of Florida consist of freshwater emergent marshes, numerous lakes, and hardwood swamps. Resident species, such as the Florida Mottled Duck and Wood Duck, and a variety of wintering species, such Blue-winged Teal and Ring-necked Duck, remain important components of these wetland systems (Table 1). Table 1. Waterfowl species identified in the Orange Creek/Ocklawaha Basin Focus Area.
Other Migratory Birds: Lake Apopka’s north shore restoration area historically served as a staging area for migrating shorebirds. The Orange Creek Basin and the Ocklawaha River as it passes through the Ocala Forest are bordered by relatively intact upland forest habitat. The bird life is diverse and includes all resident waterbird species including Bald Eagle, Swallow-tailed Kite, Osprey, Wood Stork, Limpkin, White Pelican, grebes, and numerous upland species. Threats: Urban encroachment and stormwater runoff have resulted in poor water quality leading to eutrophication in many lakes and streams. Additional threats include interest in further structural alteration to stabilize water level, invasive exotic plants, and human disturbance from water based recreation. Conservation Recommendations: Because the majority of wetlands in this focus area are in state and federal ownership, emphasis should be directed towards restoring or emulating through management the natural hydroperiod and integrity of the wetlands. Seasonal water level manipulations to mimic the natural hydroperiod and controlling exotic and noxious vegetation will enhance wetland habitat for wildlife and may improve water quality. As the urban interface encroaches upon these wetlands, conservation activities should focus on protecting surrounding uplands through fee-title acquisition or conservation easements. References: Pranty, Bill. 2002. The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000-2002. Audubon of Florida. Tampa, FL 33619.
Regional Wetlands Concept Plan. 1
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