Snail Kite and Apple Snail Habitat Suitability Modeling to Support Multi-Species Management for Threatened and Endangered Species in the Florida Everglades
Dates
Start Date
2016-10
End Date
2018-03
Summary
This project directly addresses a recovery action in FWS’s recovery plan for the snail kite (Multi-species Recovery Plan for South Florida - Everglade Snail Kite, 1999), which recommends the development of modeling that can predict the response of snail kites to changes in hydropattern anticipated for specific water management proposals (recovery action H3.1). The proposed real-time models would be a significant first step in completing this recovery action, which specifies modeling that would include “...linkage to apple snail distribution and abundance, vegetation characteristics in the landscape influencing the snail kite’s successful foraging, and linkage of all these factors to hydrology.” In addition, this project is a high priority [...]
Summary
This project directly addresses a recovery action in FWS’s recovery plan for the snail kite (Multi-species Recovery Plan for South Florida - Everglade Snail Kite, 1999), which recommends the development of modeling that can predict the response of snail kites to changes in hydropattern anticipated for specific water management proposals (recovery action H3.1). The proposed real-time models would be a significant first step in completing this recovery action, which specifies modeling that would include “...linkage to apple snail distribution and abundance, vegetation characteristics in the landscape influencing the snail kite’s successful foraging, and linkage of all these factors to hydrology.” In addition, this project is a high priority for the FWS South Florida Ecological Services Office, and would inform decisions related to ongoing coordination with state and federal water managers, as well as project-specific consultations of regional importance. Completion of this project is also a priority for the Refuge, which has been designated critical habitat for snail kites since 1977, but has seen a significant decline in both apple snails and snail kites in recent decades. Providing habitat to support increased populations of these related species through best water management practices is a priority for Refuge management. Application of the proposed tools will inform water management decisions in a localized and regional context, and better enable snail kite conservation on federal lands.
