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Title: Avian utilization of subsidence wetlands

Abstract

Diverse and productive wetlands have resulted from coal mining in the midwest. The trend from surface to underground mining has increased the potential for subsidence. Planned subsidence of longwall mining areas provides increased opportunities for wetland habitat establishment. Planned subsidence over a 180 meter (590 foot) deep longwall mine in southern Illinois during 1984 to 1986 produced three subsidence wetlands totaling 15 hectares (38 acres). The resulting palustrine emergent wetlands enhanced habitat diversity within the surrounding palustrine forested unsubsided area. Habitat assessments and evaluations of avian utilization of the subsidence wetlands were conducted during February 1990 through October 1991. Avian utilization was greatest within the subsided wetlands. Fifty-three bird species representing seven foraging guilds utilized the subsidence wetlands. Wading/fishing, dabbling waterfowl, and insectivorous avian guilds dominated the subsidence wetlands. The subsidence wetlands represented ideal habitat for wood ducks and great blue herons which utilized snags adjacent to and within the wetlands for nesting (19 great blue heron nests produced 25 young). Dense cover and a rich supply of macroinvertebrates provide excellent brood habitat for wood ducks, while herpetofauna and ichthyofauna provided abundant forage in shallow water zones for great blue herons and other wetland wading birds. The diversity of gamemore » and non-game avifauna utilizing the subsidence areas demonstrated the unique value of these wetlands. Preplanned subsidence wetlands can help mitigate loss of wetland habitats in the midwest.« less

Authors:
; ;  [1]
  1. Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale, IL (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
98655
Report Number(s):
CONF-9506226-
TRN: 95:006357-0002
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: 12. American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation annual meeting: decades later - a time for reassessment, Gillette, WY (United States), 3-8 Jun 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Decades later: A time for reassessment. Volume 1 and Volume 2; Schuman, G.E. [High Plains Grasslands Research Station, Cheyenne, WY (United States)]; Vance, G.F. [Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States)] [eds.]; PB: 889 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT; COAL MINES; GROUND SUBSIDENCE; WETLANDS; USES; BIRDS; HABITAT; LONGWALL MINING; COAL MINING; UNDERGROUND MINING; SURFACE WATERS; ILLINOIS

Citation Formats

Nawrot, J R, Conley, P S, and Smout, C L. Avian utilization of subsidence wetlands. United States: N. p., 1995. Web.
Nawrot, J R, Conley, P S, & Smout, C L. Avian utilization of subsidence wetlands. United States.
Nawrot, J R, Conley, P S, and Smout, C L. 1995. "Avian utilization of subsidence wetlands". United States.
@article{osti_98655,
title = {Avian utilization of subsidence wetlands},
author = {Nawrot, J R and Conley, P S and Smout, C L},
abstractNote = {Diverse and productive wetlands have resulted from coal mining in the midwest. The trend from surface to underground mining has increased the potential for subsidence. Planned subsidence of longwall mining areas provides increased opportunities for wetland habitat establishment. Planned subsidence over a 180 meter (590 foot) deep longwall mine in southern Illinois during 1984 to 1986 produced three subsidence wetlands totaling 15 hectares (38 acres). The resulting palustrine emergent wetlands enhanced habitat diversity within the surrounding palustrine forested unsubsided area. Habitat assessments and evaluations of avian utilization of the subsidence wetlands were conducted during February 1990 through October 1991. Avian utilization was greatest within the subsided wetlands. Fifty-three bird species representing seven foraging guilds utilized the subsidence wetlands. Wading/fishing, dabbling waterfowl, and insectivorous avian guilds dominated the subsidence wetlands. The subsidence wetlands represented ideal habitat for wood ducks and great blue herons which utilized snags adjacent to and within the wetlands for nesting (19 great blue heron nests produced 25 young). Dense cover and a rich supply of macroinvertebrates provide excellent brood habitat for wood ducks, while herpetofauna and ichthyofauna provided abundant forage in shallow water zones for great blue herons and other wetland wading birds. The diversity of game and non-game avifauna utilizing the subsidence areas demonstrated the unique value of these wetlands. Preplanned subsidence wetlands can help mitigate loss of wetland habitats in the midwest.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/98655}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1995},
month = {Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1995}
}

Conference:
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