Experiment could benefit birds
In Missouri, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to dredge Lewis and Clark Lake, creating sandbars that might provide habitat for species such as Least Tern and Piping Plover.Project biologist Galen Jons said,
“The neatest thing, particularly for this project, is the multiple benefits... We are providing habitat for wildlife; we are redirecting sediment and sand, and you have the improved navigation through the lake. If we are successful, we will look at doing more of that.”Have you had any experience -- good or bad -- with local experiments like this one?
Piping Plover courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
posted by Amy at 10:15 AM
2 Comments:
It's an interesting idea but I have no experience with it. The Atlantic Coast population of piping plovers (my reason for living) has slightly different nesting habitat requirements from the inland population. Out here they prefer the flat part of barrier beaches -- that is the part between the intertidal zone and the wrack line. The things the Corps of Engineers has done to "stop beach erosion" along the Atlantic coast have usually not created more piping plover habitat. Typically the Corps has built jetties and groins, which interfere with the natural movement of the sand out to sea and back in again. That combined with the longshore current results in some beaches being starved for sand and others having sand but not necessarily piping plover and least tern habitat.
Again, the Atlantic coast is a whole different kettle of fish from inland lakes and rivers.
Thanks for the info, Janet!
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