Aquatic invertebrates are an important food resource for waterfowl during the spring migratory period. Little is known, however, about patterns in abundance and composition, or the effects of waterfowl predation on wetland invertebrates during this period. Furthermore, recent findings suggest that limitations in invertebrate availability may be limiting production in some waterfowl species. The objectives of this study are to determine patterns in invertebrate availability across wetland habitat types in the Upper Midwest and determine what abiotic factors correlate best with these patterns. Additionally, we will determine the composition of invertebrate communities in flooded agricultural habitats in this area, and the potential of waterfowl to locally deplete their invertebrate prey during the spring migration. Findings from this project will be used to determine if production in currently available wetland acreage is sufficient to support flyway population objectives for waterfowl, and where conservation efforts should be focused regionally.
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