Conserving our wildlife resources: waterfowl – Student worksheet 1

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) range maps

The Breeding Bird Survey attempts to estimate the population size of bird species in North America. Their range maps show the "relative abundance" of a species, which is the average number of birds of that species that could be seen in that area. Areas of better habitat can support more birds than poorer habitat, so relative abundances are higher in better habitat.

1. Using the BBS range maps of the following ten duck species, identify the provinces, which are the most and second most important to each species. This will be the province whose area is most covered by the duck's range, and also contains the areas of highest relative abundance.
2. Using Map 3.1.4. Terrestrial Ecozones, 1996 identify the terrestrial ecozones that are the most and second most important to each species.
   
   

   Duck Species	Provinces	Ecozones
   Mallard
   Gadwall
   Green-winged teal
   Northern shoveller
   Northern pintail
   American wigeon
   Blue-winged teal
   Canvasback
   Redhead
   Lesser scaup