Getting our ducks in a row: An analysis of waterfowl management within the atlantic coast joint venture

The purpose of this dissertation was to identify management strategies used for waterfowl management and the perceived effectiveness of these strategies at coastal sites within the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture. This was accomplished through three specific research objectives: Objective 1: To identify and analyze waterfowl management strategies utilized by coastal sites within the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture; Objective 2: To determine whether waterfowl management strategy use is consistent among coastal sites within the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture; Objective 3: To examine waterfowl management strategy use and value by identifying waterfowl management professionals' perception of strategy effectiveness for coastal sites within the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture. The study sites for this dissertation included 102 coastal sites within the ACJV. The study derived 13 waterfowl management strategies from the review of administrative history, literature, and experts in the field. A rubric for site management plan analysis was developed. The data were collected from coastal ACJV sites through descriptive analysis of a sample of 43 site management plans, and a self-administered questionnaire sent to waterfowl management professionals at coastal sites within the ACJV. The results of this study indicate that wetlands on site significantly influence the selection of less frequent waterfowl counts and weekly waterbird counts. The findings also indicate respondents' years of experience significantly decrease their perceived effectiveness of weekly waterfowl counts. From these findings five implications for waterfowl management were drawn: (1) The framework for analysis this study created is a step forward for waterfowl management evaluation at the site and regional level. (2) Waterfowl management should not be separated from wetland management; (3) More data regarding the use of the adaptive management approach for coastal sites within the ACJV and monitoring and evaluation of waterfowl at the site level is necessary; (4) Waterfowl management should include a component of Education and Outreach; and (5) There is a need for an interdisciplinary management approach to waterfowl management.