Ocean Lecture Series

Birds in Ditches: Marginal Wetlands Do Matter
Ellie Van Os

About the Lecture

One of the challenges to ensure the health of wading bird populations, particularly in south Florida, is to have a better understanding of the altered habitats that we must now consider part of their natural history. Throughout their range endangered Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) have been reported to forage in ditches.

In a study area on the east coast of central Florida in Indian River County, the characteristics of saltwater and freshwater ditches during both the wet and the dry season were quantified, and their use during the Wood Stork non-breeding season was documented. Analyses were carried out that confirmed the use of these marginal wetlands by Wood Storks, and identified the significance of emergent vegetation on the foraging habitat selection of Wood Storks in the dry season.

In addition to reporting on the outcome of this study, Ellie Van Os will talk about management decisions that might affect the birds' use of this habitat as well as some of the other animals that were found to use the ditches.

About the Speaker

Ellie Van Os is a research technician in the Center of Marine Ecosystem Health at Harbor Branch. Throughout her thirty years of experience evaluating wetland habitats, serving on environmental boards, teaching biology, and leading wildlife tours in the polar regions, a recurrent theme has always been to help people understand the environment they are in or the environment they are visiting by demonstrating the interconnectedness of its communities.

Ellie received her Bachelors degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey before moving to Vero Beach. She received her Master of Science degree from Florida Atlantic University this past fall with her thesis topic being the subject of this lecture. Ellie also is a significant contributor to our Education programs at Harbor Branch.