Waterfowl recruitment was studied in relation to breeding populations,habitat management, and predators at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, and Schwob Marsh and Buffalo Creek Wildlife Management Areas in north-central Iowa, March-August, 1984-85. Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima) and 11 species of ducks used the study area for breeding grounds during 1984-85. Wood ducks (Aix sponsa), blue-winged teal (Anas discors), and mallards (A. platyrhynchos) were the most common breeding ducks, comprising 92% of the total duck breeding population each year (302 pairs in 1984, 512 pairs in 1985). Wood duck and Canada goose populations have been increasing steadily in recent years because of high nesting success and homing. Dabbling duck populations were largest in 1985, when local drought conditions prevailed, but water levels of study-area wetlands were maintained with water-control structures. Wetlands that had undergone partial or complete drawdowns before being reflooded were use.

Wetlands are prominent landscapes throughout North America. The general characteristics of wetlands are controversial, thus there has not been a systematic assessment of different types of wetlands in different parts of North America, or a compendium of the threats to their conservation. Wetland Habitats of North America adopts a geographic and habitat approach, in which experts familiar with wetlands from across North America provide analyses and syntheses of their particular region of study. Addressing a broad audience of students, scientists, engineers, environmental managers, and policy makers, this book reviews recent, scientifically rigorous literature directly relevant to understanding, managing, protecting, and restoring wetland ecosystems of North America.