Why did duck populations decline in 2001 and 2002?
Changes in duck populations are driven by a number of factors. One of the most important is the amount of water present in prairie pothole wetlands on the breeding grounds. In 2001 and 2002 much of the continent’s duck factory was drier than normal and, consequently, duck numbers declined. Drought is part of the natural cycle on the prairies, where most of our ducks are produced. No one can make it rain on the prairies, so DU’s goal is to make sure that there will always be sufficient habitat for ducks when the drought cycle ends. Recent history has shown us that, when weather conditions are right, there is sufficient habitat to support “booms” in duck populations. For example, during the wet period of 1994–1999 duck numbers increased 69%.
