Abstract

Texas Whooping Crane Habitat Model
Track: Parks, Natural Reserves, Fisheries, and Wildlife Management
Authors: Stephen Saletta

The Texas Whooping Crane Habitat Model was developed to address critical issues related to the siting and development of electrical infrastructure in the Whooping Crane Flyway. Each year in the spring these amazing birds travel over 2500 miles from their wintering grounds along the Gulf of Mexico to a preserve in western-central Canada. In the fall they travel back along the same route. During their incredible trek, Whooping Cranes stopover at locations where they can feed and rest. These locations are critical to the survival of this vulnerable species. The Whooping Crane Habitat Model identifies the habitat suitability for Whooping Cranes by analyzing key variables. The model will be used as a tool for minimizing electrical infrastructure development in areas of suitable Whooping Crane habitat, and identifying areas of current development where remediative efforts can be implemented.