User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
My research project focuses on dabbling duck habitat selection within Colony Farm Regional Park. I predicted that dabbling ducks (specifically mallard and wood duck) found within the constructed drainage channels that border the existing dyke network would select channels with increased emergent vegetation cover. I tested this hypothesis by assessing waterfowl abundance within drainage channels that contained varying amounts of emergent vegetation cover.
My research primarily focuses on waterfowl habitat selection and whether emergent vegetation cover within aquatic habitats affects habitat selection by waterfowl. Relevant literature indicates that emergent vegetation cover provides several benefits to dabbling ducks, including habitat complexity and reduced predation risk. These aspects will also be discussed as part of my research project. Three keywords that I could use to describe my research project are emergent vegetation, habitat selection and dabbling ducks.
