Science Data Catalog submission - USGS:26e67fde-fbf5-4eb3-923f-fcde8539e682
Dates
Publication Date
2024-06
Start Date
1979
End Date
2021
Summary
Body mass in overwintering waterfowl is an important fitness attribute as it affects winter survival, timing of spring migration, and subsequent reproductive success. Recent research in Europe and the western United States indicates body mass of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) has increased from the late 1960s to early 2000s. The underlying mechanism is currently unknown; however, researchers hypothesize that increases are due to a more benign winter climate, increased food availability through natural and artificial flooding, introgression of wild mallard populations by game-farm mallards, or shifting of wintering distributions northward. Further investigation of factors related to winter mallard body mass increases and whether this [...]
Summary
Body mass in overwintering waterfowl is an important fitness attribute as it affects winter survival, timing of spring migration, and subsequent reproductive success. Recent research in Europe and the western United States indicates body mass of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) has increased from the late 1960s to early 2000s. The underlying mechanism is currently unknown; however, researchers hypothesize that increases are due to a more benign winter climate, increased food availability through natural and artificial flooding, introgression of wild mallard populations by game-farm mallards, or shifting of wintering distributions northward. Further investigation of factors related to winter mallard body mass increases and whether this phenomenon is occurring in other major flyways could increase understanding of intrinsic and extrinsic variables influencing waterfowl fitness. We collected and analyzed mallard body mass data in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley from 1979 to 2021 to determine sources of temporal variation. We measured hunter-harvested mallards from private hunting clubs, public hunting areas, and duck-plucking businesses. Mallard body mass increased by approximately 6% among all age-sex classes from 1979 to 2021. We also compiled weather data (rainfall [cm], weather severity index information [WSI], river gage discharge [cfs] and height [m]) to relate to mallard body mass measurements.
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Purpose
We collected and analyzed mallard body mass data in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley from 1979 to 2021 to determine sources of variation within and among winters. This work aligns with a smaller body of work that tracks these phenomena in mallards in the western US and Europe. Appropriate use of the data is at the discretion of the author(s). Please reach out for inquiries (jtveon@ucdavis.edu).
