Nest Success and Industrial Development in the Boreal

About the Study

Lead researcher: Matt Dyson, Ph.D., Stuart M. Slattery, Ph.D. (retired 2025)

This study examined how duck nest success in the Western Boreal Forest is affected by the density of human-made features associated with oil and gas development, such as roads, trails, pipelines, utility corridors, and seismic lines. These features cut through dense forest and are often used by predators like bears and wolves as easy travel routes. Because of this, predator activity can become more concentrated in these areas, putting duck nests at greater risk. This research was conducted in the Utikuma Lake region of north-central Alberta, where teams monitored duck nests to track predation and assess nest survival.

Timelines

The project began with a pilot season in 2016, followed by full field seasons in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Data analysis and modelling were completed in subsequent years.

Matt Dyson led this research as a part of his PhD program at the University of Waterloo from 2015 – 2020 under the supervision of Stuart Slattery (DUC-IWWR) and Brad Fedy (University of Waterloo). Ryan Johnstone also contributed to this research during his MES degree working with Matt, Stuart, and Brad from 2018-2021 at the University of Waterloo. Ryan went on to become a Waterfowl Technician with Canadian Wildlife Service – Atlantic Region. Matt joined IWWR as a research scientist after completing his PhD in 2021.

Goals & Purpose

This research has enhanced Ducks Unlimited Canada’s ability to implement conservation solutions that address the most pressing threats to boreal waterfowl. It supports efforts to balance industrial development with the protection of critical nesting habitats.

Key Findings

• Predator Diversity: The predator community in the boreal forest was distinct from that of prairie regions, with more large mammals and forest-adapted species, including black bear, lynx, coyote, marten, and raven.
• Nest Site Selection: Ducks avoided industrial corridors like seismic lines and pipelines—likely due to perceived predator risk—but often nested near roads and mineral wetlands. This suggests a complex trade-off between habitat preference and predator avoidance.
• Breeding Habitat Selection: Contrary to expectations, female mallards did not avoid all industrial development. Instead, they selected habitats with features like well pads close to roads and pipelines. This suggests that current levels of industrial activity in the study area did not prevent the establishment of breeding season home ranges.
• Impact of Development: Linear features were found to increase predator movement and alter patterns of nest-site selection, but did not appear to reduce nest survival.
• Conservation Implications: The study provides a foundation for predicting important nesting habitats and guiding sustainable land-use practices in the boreal forest.

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