Environmental Impact - Wildlife/Vegetation Effects

Buehler. D.A., Mersmann, T.J., Fraser, J.D. & Seegar, J.K. (1991). Effects of human activity on bald eagle distribution on the northern Chesapeake Bay. Journal of Wildlife Management 55(2).

Abstract

The relationship between bald eagle distribution and human activity on the northern
Chesapeake Bay shoreline during 1985-89 was determined. Only 55 of 11,117
locations of radio-tagged eagles (4.9%) occurred in the developed land-cover type, although 18.2% of potential eagle habitat was developed. Eagle use of the shoreline was inversely related to building density and directly related to the development set-back distance. Few eagles used shoreline segments with boats or pedestrians nearby. Only 360 of 2,532 segments had neither human activity nor shoreline development. Eagle flush distances because of approaching boats were greater in the winter than in summer but were similar for adult and immature eagles. Of 2, 472 km of shoreline on the northern Chesapeake, 894 km appears to be too developed to be
suitable for eagle use, and an additional 996 km has buildings within 500 m, thereby reducing eagle use. The projected increase in developed land in Maryland and Virginia from 1978 to 2020 is likely to determine the future of the bald eagle population on the northern Chesapeake Bay.

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