Impact of drought on wildlife / H.C. Moulding.

Includes bibliographical references.

Drought and the resultant loss of surface waters has a major impact on aquatic fur bearing animals, fish and waterfowl. The latter, primarily ducks which inhabit prairie wetlands are a major group of wildlife species affected. The habitat required by waterfowl varies depending on the time of year and the birds maturity. The major production of waterfowl takes place on the Canadian prairies. Desirable marsh characteristics for the production of waterfowl are those marshes that provide adequate food, water, nesting and escape cover. Drought has a major impact on the quantity and quality of prairie ponds which directly affects their use and the production of waterfowl. Sequential droughts that last for more than one year create major shifts in the breeding and migratory patterns of waterfowl. Man's encroachment of the surface waters during these periods create a prolonged period of degradation of prairie waterfowl habitat. The depletion by drought of various types of waters occurs over a