Great Lakes coastal wetlands as suitable habitat for invasive mute swans in Michigan

摘要: Abstract Great Lakes coastal wetlands provide critical habitat and food resources for more species than any other ecosystem. Due to past current anthropogenic disturbances, wetland area has been reduced by >50% while remaining is frequently degraded. Invasive mute swans have contributed the degradation of removing submergent vegetation competitively excluding native from breeding areas resources. Despite control practices, swan population estimates in Michigan are ~8000, comparable entire Atlantic Flyway North America. We collected local abiotic data adjacent land cover at 3 scales 51 sites during 2010 2011 conducted 2 detection surveys each year summer fall. developed a single-species, single-season occupancy-based suitability model determine potential among wetlands. found occupied heterotrophic urban areas, which were high ammonium oxidation-reduction low nitrates, dissolved oxygen, turbidity. Our provides managers with valuable tool rapidly identifying efforts, particularly need targeting populations or near urbanized areas. will also aid monitoring that may invade prioritizing restoration efforts.