Master's Theses

Department

Geosciences

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

The objective of this project was to determine the degree and direction of association between the amount of mud/salt flat area and shorebird abundance during spring and early summer. This study used Landsat 5 to indirectly measure mudflat and salt flat areas at two wetland complexes within Kansas over a period of several years (1991-2008). These measurements were compared to shorebird surveys conducted by several individuals at both Quivira National Wildlife Refuge and Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. A correlation analysis showed that significant relationships exist between mud/salt flat area and the abundance of certain shorebird species. Correlation coefficients for individual species differed between Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira. Statistically significant positive relationships to mudflats exist with species of Long-billed Dowitcher, Greater & Lesser Yellowlegs, and Dunlin at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. Several species of Plover and species of Greater Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Stilt Sandpiper show statistically positive relationships to salt flats at Quivira. The amount of area these land cover types take up within a wetland are contributing factors to avian abundance during spring and early summer.

Keywords

GIS, remote sensing, wetlands, shorebirds, spectral angle mapper

Advisor

Dr. John F. Heinrichs

Date of Award

Summer 2013

Document Type

Thesis

Rights

© The Author(s)

Comments

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