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USGS1985

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Belted kingfisher

A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop a Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model for the belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon). The model consolidates habitat use information into a framework appropriate for field application, and is scaled to produce an index between 0.0 (unsuitable habitat) to 1.0 (optimum habitat). HSI models are designed to be used with Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

FWS/OBS↗

USGS1985

Habitat Suitability Index Models and Instream Flow Suitability Curves: American shad

INTRODUCTION The American shad, an anadromous species, is the largest member of the herring family (Clupeidae) and is native to North America (Talbot and Sykes 1958; Hildebrand 1963; Walburg and Nichols 1967). Historically, the commercial fishery for American shad on the Atlantic coast was widespread and intense; in 1896 the estimated catch was 22.7 million kg (50 million lb). By 1960, however, the estimated catch had dropped to slightly more than 3.6 million kg (8 million lb), according to Walburg and Nichols (1967). Pollution, overfishing, and dams constructed across streams that prevent shad from reaching their spawning grounds have caused partial or total depletion of stocks (Hildebrand 1963). Several programs aimed at restoring American shad to their former range have been initiated by Federal and State agencies.

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USGS1982

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Slough darter

The native range of the slough darter (Etheostoma gracile) extends from western Alabama (Smith-Vaniz 1968) to central Texas and northward in the lowland areas of the former Mississippi Embayment and the Interior Low Plateau to central Illinois (Collette 1962) and southwestern Indiana (Gerking 1945). Its distribution also includes southeast Kansas (Metcalf 1959; Cross 1967) and northeast Oklahoma (Blair 1959). Natural hybridization with the blackside darter (Percina maculata) has been recorded (Page 1976).

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USGS1985

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Eastern brown pelican

A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop a habitat model for the eastern brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis). The model is scaled to produce an index of habitat suitability between 0 (unsuitable habitat) and 1.0 (optimal habitat) for coastal areas within the eastern brown pelican's breeding range. Habitat suitability indices are designed for use with the Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Guidelines for application of the eastern brown pelican habitat model and techniques for measuring model variables are described.

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USGS1985

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Lesser scaup (wintering)

A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop a model for evaluating wintering habitat quality for the lesser scaup (Aythya affinis). The model is scaled to produce an index of habitat suitability between 0.0 (unsuitable habitat) to 1.0 (optimal habitat) for Southern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas of the continental United States. Habitat suitability indices are designed for use with the Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Guidelines for model application and techniques for measuring model variables are provided.

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USGS1985

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Southern and gulf flounders

Both the southern and gulf flounders (paralichthrS lethostigma, f. albi~utta) are important commercial and recreationa species. Catch statlstics for flounder do not differentiate between species; however, southern flounders are more common than gulf flounders except on the gulf coast of Florida (Topp and Hoff 1972). The commercial fishery consists of incidental catches by shrimp trawlers. A total of 853,162 kg (1,880,900 lb) of unclassified flounder worth $572,142 was caught from the Gulf of Mexico in 1976 (U.S. Dep. Commerce 1980). The sport fishery consists of both hook-and-line fishing and gigging.

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USGS1985

Habitat Suitability Index Models: White ibis

White ibises (Eudocimus albus) are members of the family Threskiornithidae in the order Ciconiiformes. They are medium-sized wading birds with a tapering decurved bill. Adults are white with black tips on the four largest primaries. Males tend to be 35% larger than females, averaging 1,036 ± 30 g (33 ± 1 oz) (Kush1an 1977c). White ibises inhabit open marshes and other wetlands where they are one of the most important predators in the food chain in terms of energy flow (Kush1an 1977b; Rodgers and Nesbitt 1979). In the past, white ibises have been occasionally harvested by humans for food (Baynard 1913; Bent 1926).

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USGS1985

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Laughing gull

A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop a habitat model for laughing gull (Larus atricilla). The model is scaled to produce an index of habitat suitability between 0 (unsuitable habitat) and 1.0 (optimally suitable habitat) for areas along the Gulf of Mexico coast. Habitat suitability indices are designed for use with the Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Guidelines for application of the model and techniques for measuring model variables are described.

FWS/OBS↗

USGS1985

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Red-winged blackbird

A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop a Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model for the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus L.). The model consolidates habitat use information into a framework appropriate for field application, and is scaled to produce an index between 0.0 (unsuitable habitat) to 1.0 (optimum habitat). HSI models are designed to be used with Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

FWS/OBS↗

USGS1985

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Lesser snow goose (wintering)

The lesser snow goose may have the largest population of any goose in the world (Cooch 1958; Kerbes 1975; Ogilvie 1978). Its arctic breeding range has greatly expanded since the mid-1950's (Bellrose 1976). In the United States, it normally ranks behind only the Canada goose (Branta canadensis) in population size (Bellrose 1976; Owen 1980) and in harvest (Carney et al. 1981, 1982). Because up to 70% of the geese harvested annually by hunters in Texas and Louisiana are lesser snow geese (Carney et al , 1981), its importance as a waterfowl species of the Gulf of Mexico coast cannot be overemphasized. Surveys taken in the Central and Mississippi Flyways from 1955 to 1975 have shown an upward trend in the number of wintering snow geese (Bellrose 1976). On the wintering grounds snow geese tend to remain in large, very conspicuous flocks that please both hunters and non-consumptive viewers of wildlife.

FWS/OBS↗

USGS1982

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Juvenile Atlantic Croaker

INTRODUCTION The Atlantic croaker is an important commercial and recreational species. In the 1940's, the foodfish catch of Atlantic croakers was concentrated in Chesapeake Bay; in the 1950's and early 1970's, the catch was concentrated in the Gulf of Mexico; and in the late 1970's, the catch was concentrated in the South Atlantic States (Wilk 1981). Industrial and recreational catches of Atlantic croakers have been concentrated in the Gulf of Mexico, where the Atlantic croaker is the most important species of bottomfish for industrial uses (Knudsen and Herke 1978), and has ranked first, second, or third in number caught by recreational anglers, depending on survey year (Nakamura 1981). Today, Virginia or Delaware is considered to be the northern extent of the species. During climatically warmer periods, such as the 1930's and 1940's, the croaker extended its range north at least to New York, where it was commercially fished. The southern extent of its range is Argentina.

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USGS1985

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Great blue heron

The great blue heron is the largest, most widely distributed, and best known of the American herons (Henny 1972). Great blue herons occur in a variety of habitats from freshwater lakes and rivers to brackish marshes, lagoons, mangrove areas, and coastal wetlands (Spendelow and Patton in prep.).

FWS/OBS↗

USGS1982