The Bookshop

Biogeographical Profiles of Shorebird Migration

Thirty-seven species of shorebirds commonly cross the interior plains of North America during spring and fall migrations. Population sizes of several of these species are believed to be declining.

Biogeographical Profiles of Shorebird Migration in Midcontinental North America presents the general distribution patterns of en route migrants that refuel in interior wetlands during migration. The 167 page, 8.5"x 11", soft cover report provides information on the spatial and temporal occurrence and habitat requirements for individual species and groups of species with the intent that this information may be used in guiding management efforts.

Report maps show each species' range in the western hemisphere and their distribution in the United States and Canada. Tables reflect numbers of birds and general latitudinal locations where shorebirds have been known to occur during migration. An appendix lists the maximum counts recorded for each species and species group in 0.1°x 0.1° latitude/longitude cells in descending order of abundance.

Prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the North American Waterfowl Management Plan's Prairie Pothole Joint Venture, the report can be obtained free of charge from Dr. Susan K. Skagen, Midcontinent Ecological Science Center, 4512 McMurry Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525, susan_skagen@usgs.gov.

Waterfowl of Illinois

Waterfowl of Illinois is a comprehensive source on the status, management, and biology of Midwest waterfowl. A variety of topics relating to waterfowl were investigated and are discussed in this 672-page book with major emphasis placed on wetland habitats, food habits analyses, populations analyses, banding results, harvest information, historical records and regulations, private duck clubs, Canada geese, nesting information, and waterfowl management.

This book captures the strong traditions of waterfowling in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway and will be a welcome addition to the libraries of those with a special interest in waterfowl. Illustrations, color photos, and tables in this remarkable collector's document cover more than a century of waterfowl investigations. Hardcover, 9 x 12, 672 pages. US$59.95, CN$75.95, includes shipping.

Waterfowl of Illinois: Abbreviated Field Guide provides the life histories and food and habitat needs of Illinois' waterfowl. The birds are depicted in full-color photographs and illustrations. The book identifies waterfowl hot spots and is a must for hunters, bird watchers, and wildlife enthusiasts. Soft cover, 6 x 9, 72 pages. US$14.95, CN$17.95, includes shipping.

The cost if purchasing both books is US$69.95, CN$89.95, including shipping.To place an order, write Illinois Natural History Survey, Distribution Office, 607 E. Peabody, Champaign, Illinois 61820, or call (217) 333-6880, or e-mail orders@inhs.uiuc.edu, or visit website www.theramp.net/inhswaterfowl. Credit cards are not accepted. Make checks payable to the University of Illinois.

Management Guides Available On Internet

Landowner guides for managing native prairie, riparian, and wetland areas can be downloaded from the Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation's website at www.wetland.sk.ca. The following guides are available:

Managing Saskatchewan Wetlands: 68 pages, 87 photos and illustrations. This guide defines wetlands, describes Saskatchewan wetland resources, provides a three - step plan for developing a wetland management plan, profiles local ranchers and farmers at work, and includes a comprehensive resource list.

Streambank Stewardship: 43 pages, 86 photos and illustrations. This guide defines riparian areas, provides information on benefits and effects of agricultural activities on riparian areas, profiles local landowners involved in effective riparian-area management, features a step-by-step process for developing a riparian-area management plan, and includes a comprehensive resource list.

Managing Your Native Prairie Parcels: 48 pages, 49 photos and illustrations. This guide discusses the development of the prairie ecosystem, provides a five - step plan for developing a management plan to conserve native prairie, profiles landowners implementing various management options, introduces Saskatchewan's Native Prairie Stewardship Program, and includes a comprehensive resource list.

Biodiversity Conservation in Canada

A new book edited by Stephen Bocking titled Biodiversity in Canada: Ecology, Ideas, and Action has been released by Broadview Press in Peterborough, Ontario. Written in an interdisciplinary fashion, it uses case studies to illustrate biodiversity issues and conflicts.

One of the book's 18 chapters, Science and Biodiversity, is written by Richard Baydack, associate director of the University of Manitoba's Natural Resources Institute and former evaluation coordinator for the North American Waterfowl Management Plan's Prairie Habitat Joint Venture. Baydack organizes the chapter in five parts: definitions and focus, existing knowledge, science versus management, adaptive resource management, and future innovations and research needs.

In general, the number of Plan initiatives that consider biodiversity in the planning process has increased. Baydack recommends that conservation of biological diversity must be grounded in science and provides examples of Plan initiatives that should be maintained or expanded to ensure that this occurs. In particular, the use of adaptive resource management is strongly encouraged.

Biodiversity in Canada: Ecology, Ideas, and Action is available for US$29.95 and CN$34.70 including shipping from Broadview Press, P.O. Box 1243, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7H5, or call (705) 743-8990. It can also be purchased through website www.broadviewpress.com.

Saving Great Lakes Wetlands

A new report from the Great Lakes Wetlands Conservation Action Plan partners highlights recent habitat acquisition and other wetland conservation achievements that are benefiting wildlife in the Canadian Great Lakes area. The report details such accomplishments as the rehabilitation of more than 14,000 hectares of wetlands; the protection of thousands of hectares of wetlands and adjacent lands through private land stewardship; the implementation of the volunteer-based Marsh Monitoring Program; and the compilation of the Ontario Coastal Wetlands Atlas. It also identifies coastal wetland health indicators as determined at the State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference.

The Great Lakes Wetlands Conservation Action Plan is a cooperative program involving federal and provincial governments and non-governmental organizations. The program's goals are to create, reclaim, rehabilitate, and protect wetland habitat in Canada's Great Lakes basin.

Copies of the report are available on Environment Canada's Green Lane at www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/conservation/wetland/wetland.html, or contact Rose Iantorno (416) 739-5829, rose.iantorno@ec.gc.ca