Wildlife Diversity and Habitat Associated with Commercial Cranberry Production in Wisconsin

• Main Author: Jorgensen, Eric Edward
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources 2020
• Subjects: Arctic
• Online Access: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/80520

The wildlife diversity and habitat associated with commercial cranberry production in Wisconsin were studied from May 1990 through August 1991. Diversity studies were completed on birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and aquatic invertebrates. Habitat studies were completed on the areas near the cranberry beds, associated impoundments, sedge meadows, and sphagnum moss (Sphagnum spp.) communities. Animals responded to cranberry production in a variety of ways. Avian species diversity was measurably affected by the edge associated with the intersection of cranberry beds and adjacent unmodified habitat. Swallows, savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) and brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) used this ecosystem, apparently due to the presence of cranberry beds. Waterfowl used the impoundments for migration and their distribution appeared to be influenced by mollusc abundance or diversity. Mammals selected against the cranberry beds but were evenly distributed outside of them. A range extension for the arctic shrew (Sorex arcticus) was documented in this research. Fishes in the impoundments were characteristic of waters which are susceptible to winterkill. Frogs of the genus Rana spp. are evenly distributed throughout the ecosystem, though spring emergence always occurred away from the cranberry beds and ditches. Mink frogs may have been documented far south of their previously reported range. The aquatic invertebrates which were most prevalent in the ditches were aeroneustic, indicating an unstable oxygen environment in the ditches. Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.