Habitat

The Urgency

The Challenge: Ongoing Habitat Loss

The scale and rate of loss of habitats is the greatest barrier to sustaining waterfowl populations at levels that meet desires and values of the NAWMP partnership. Despite efforts by NAWMP partners and other international efforts (e.g., Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' Fall Flights program), habitats continue to be lost to and degraded by agricultural expansion, urbanization, industrial development, climate change, pollution, invasive species and other anthropogenic impacts. The ability to achieve and sustain NAWMP population objectives is a direct function of a habitat base resilient to variable environmental conditions, and which supports waterfowl populations throughout their annual cycle. Habitat loss directly influences efforts to sustain waterfowl populations and causes loss and degradation of many other benefits that are highly valued by people. Since inception, the single largest NAWMP expenditure has been habitat conservation and restoration. The global socio-environmental phenomena we have been experiencing in recent years necessitate ongoing updates and the identification of alternative approaches for the conservation of waterfowl and wetlands. The loss of habitat and the valuation of economic benefits provide compelling reasons for both the government and society to recognize the need for contemporary policies ensuring the sustainable use of these resources.

On the Ground

Habitat Conservation in Action

Conserving Habitat on Irrigated Lands

The Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV) spans a broad range of semi-arid habitats across the western United States. Sustainable water supplies are at the heart of conserving waterfowl habitats and supporting local communities. In 2019, the IWJV established its Water 4 initiative to conserve wetlands and "water for" irrigated agriculture, wildlife and fisheries habitat, groundwater recharge and landscape resiliency in ways that matter to people. This approach is rooted in conserving wetland habitat through a lens of relevancy. The IWJV's spatial analysis shows significant wetland drying over the last 40 years, and some of the most resilient habitats are flood-irrigated grass-hay meadows used for forage production. Irrigation of these wet meadows provides multiple benefits to people. Water 4 uses conservation easements, modernization of flood irrigation infrastructure, and other practices to benefit waterfowl populations while sustaining rural agricultural communities and the people whose livelihoods depend on the health of this landscape. Working with ranchers to sustain these irrigated lands conserves resilient, important waterfowl habitats for reasons other than birds—importantly, with new sources of funding—and builds relationships with agricultural producers with the most senior water rights.

Conserving Waterfowl and Wetlands in Manitoba through Science and Communication

In Canada, regulations to protect wetlands fall under provincial authority. For the Prairie Habitat Joint Venture (PHJV), evaluation identified ongoing wetland loss as the greatest threat to achievement of NAWMP goals. In response, the PHJV, led by Ducks Unlimited Canada, initiated an integrated program of science and communication to encourage wetland protection in Manitoba. Scientific investigation quantified how loss of wetlands higher in the watershed resulted in increased flooding and reduced sequestration of both greenhouse gases and contaminants (specifically sediments and fertilizer components phosphorous and nitrogen) in rivers, stream-courses and downstream lakes. The results of this research were communicated through multiple media outlets and drew defensible connections between wetland loss and increased algal blooms in Lake Winnipeg. Annually, these blooms were responsible for the closure of popular beaches around the lake during peak summer vacation season. Simultaneously, scientists and policy experts were engaged with senior provincial bureaucrats, politicians and other stakeholder groups to draft new wetland protection regulations. These efforts resulted in new stringent wetland regulations signed into law.

Growing the Coalition

Building Support for Habitat Conservation

Successful conservation of habitat at the pace required to sustain waterfowl populations across North America hinges on attracting informed and engaged supporters. To meet large-scale habitat challenges, the NAWMP must grow and diversify its supporters and partners to garner increased capacity to address challenges at relevant JV scales. This means drawing on increased numbers of hunters and birders, and attracting supporters and partners who value the non-waterfowl benefits of NAWMP conservation efforts. Many supporters will value not only waterfowl and their habitats but also the multiple benefits provided by NAWMP habitat conservation efforts. This might include conservation of habitat for some species of grassland birds, secretive marsh birds and shorebirds whose populations are in sharp decline.

Progress Toward Habitat Goals

To achieve NAWMP habitat objectives, JVs have developed specific goals and objectives for their geographies. Continental population objectives (NAWMP 2014) are stepped down to individual JV geographies or sub-geographies (Fleming et al. 2017, 2019). For this 2024 Update, Habitat Joint Ventures were surveyed to evaluate their progress toward habitat goals and to assess the level to which goals for supporters had been formally incorporated into JV implementation plans. About half of JVs have quantified habitat objectives and have sufficient habitat assessment systems to enable reporting on their progress. Some JVs reported significant progress toward their habitat goals (Appendix H). Many JVs can report on the Plan Committee's new metric: "proportion of stepped-down NAWMP population goal that is currently supported by the JV landscape." However, the survey highlighted some challenges underlying reporting, which are discussed in the 2024 Update Technical Report.