Artificial Potholes-Blasting Techniques. Section 5.5.4, US Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual.

摘要

A management techniques report on blasting artificial potholes is provided as Section 5.5.4 of the US Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual. The report was prepared as a guide to assist biologists and resource managers in developing habitat management programs for project lands. Topics covered for artificial potholes include management objectives, cautions and limitations, wildlife use, site selection and preparation, blasting methods, maintenance, evaluation, and personnel and costs. Blasting potholes is a practice employed to improve waterfowl habitat by creating open water areas in an otherwise monotypic stand of emergent wetland vegetation. The procedure has been most widely used in the prairie pothole region of the northern United States and southern Canada but has also been applied successfully in other areas. Potholes are most often used by dabbling ducks and may also attract other wetland-dependent wildlife species. Details are provided on selection of sites appropriate for blasting, development of design criteria, and implementation of blasting techniques. The pros and cons of blasting methods are examined, and comparative cost information is given. Keywords: Artificial potholes; Blasting techniques; Pothole blasting; Waterfowl management; Wetland habitats; Wildlife management. (SDW)