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Abstract

Waterbird use of two moderately-sized reservoirs in northwest Arkansas was studied in the autumns of 1993 and 1995. In addition to waterbird counts; surface area, water temperature, conductivity, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, macrophyte presences, number of total macroin vertebrates and degree of human activity were evaluated. Lake Fayetteville supported a greater overall waterbird species richness and species abundance than Lake Wedington. The observed number of ducks per hectare showed a significant difference between the lakes in both 1993 and 1995. Surface feeding birds were significantly more abundant at Lake Fayetteville in both 1993 and 1995, whereas diving birds, which feed on fish and invertebrates, showed no significant difference between the two lakes. Water temperature, pH, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen were not significantly different, but conductivity was consistently higher in Lake Fayetteville. However, total biomass for standing crop of macrophytes was higher for Lake Wedington. The number of macroinvertebrates at various depths was slightly higher for Lake Wedington, and human activity due to boating and fishing was not significantly different between the two lakes. Many characteristics may influence waterbird abundance of these lakes, but siltation of Lake Fayetteville is occurring at a faster rate than Lake Wedington. This has resulted in extensive shallow areas which probably enhances availability of food for surface feeding birds at Lake Fayetteville.

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