15.678 Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units

The research team will evaluate the utility of imagery collected using low-level unmanned aerial systems (UAS) observation methods to locate nests and monitor nesting behavior of waterfowl at Kigigak Island on the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, AK. Nest visitation by researchers can increase waterfowl nest and egg mortality due primarily to increased abandonment and depredation. This is a concern for all waterfowl monitoring and research activities, but is particularly problematic at Kigigak Island, a long-standing research camp with extremely high densities of nesting waterfowl. Monitoring activities at Kigigak Island are specifically focused on a number of high profile species including the threatened Spectacled Eider. Developing effective and less intrusive methodologies for nest searching and data collections has been identified as a critical recovery task by the Spectacled Eider Recovery Team. Recent research using UAS to observe nesting waterfowl both within and outside of Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge has demonstrated such that observations can be conducted with minimal disturbance on both nesting and staging waterfowl. Additionally, further development of emerging remote sensing technologies to observe nesting waterfowl using less intrusive methods will benefit all research aimed at waterfowl nesting ecology. Anticipated products from this funding opportunity will include a Master¿s Thesis and manuscripts to be published in the primary literature useful to inform monitoring and research efforts on the conduct and utility of UAS-based waterfowl observation methods. This funding opportunity will support a number of the Secretary of Interior¿s Top Ten Priorities. Most notably it will help to create a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt by utilizing science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment. Additionally, it will folster relationships with conservation organizations (Waterfowl Conservation Commission of the Alaska Village Council Presidents) advocating for balanced stewardship and use of public lands. Similarly, it will help strike a regulatory balance by ensuring Endangered Species Act decisions (i.e., Spectacled Eider) are based on strong science and thorough analysis.