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WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEYS OF SPECIAL STUDY AREAS IN ALBERTA 
Allen G. Smith 
Introduction 

With the termination of the ground transects in 1952 on the Alberta 
waterfowl breeding grounds, personnel became available for the first time for a 
more intensive study of specific areas of the Province. Four major ecological 
types were selected as the locales for these studies. 
The purpose behind these investigations were two-fold; first, through a 
continuous residence on the areas in question repeated observations would make 
it possible to keep accurate recards on weather, changing water conditions, 
breeding populations, nesting and hatching success and brood survival. Secondly, 
by setting up the ground study areas as linear units which could be easily surveyed 
by plane, it was possible to make checks of breeding populations and broods by 
both aerial and ground crews. This gave us data which we hope will eventually aid 
us (after sufficient samples have been studied) in establishing a measure of error 
as it exists in aerial observation in different representative ecological zones. 
Five intensive study areas were under observation, two on the prairies by 
personnel of Ducks Unlimited (Canada), and three in the parklands by representatives 
of the Canadian Wildlife Service, Alberta Game Branch and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service. Data relative to the Ducks Unlimited Study Areas (Numbers 4 and 5) is 
included in a separate report by Mr. William Leitch. 
General Description of the Study Areas 
Areas 1 and 2 
These two areas, separated by the town of Vermilion, extend in a north- 
south direction from Wainwright to the North Saskatchewan River a few miles south 
of Elk Point. Messrs. Donald Reid of the Canadian Wildlife Service and John Stelfox 
of the Alberta Game Branch were the investigators in this study. Area 1] of 9.2 
square miles and Area 2 of 9 square miles are located in eastcentral Alberta. The 
terrain in this district varies from rolling to hilly and it lies close to the northern 
limits of the parklands of central Alberta. In fact, the North Saskatchewan River is 
considered to be the northern limits of the parklands at this point. The aspen groves - 
are larger and more dense and yet the land as a whole is more heavily devoted to 
wheat raising than is true in Area 3, the other parkland study area. Potholes and 
ponds are numerous and though many are of a temporary nature, approximately 1/2 
of those present in spring would hold water, except in cases of severe drought. 
Annual rainfall averages from 17 to 19 inches. In 1950, a drought year, 14.4 inches 
of precipitation was recorded; in 1951, a wet year, 18.1 inches occurred, 
Area 3 
This area is located between Lousana and Elnora about 3 miles inside the 
southern limits of the parklands of westcentral Alberta. This intensive study was 
made by Wayne H. Heuer, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Area 3 may be classified 
