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#           Multispecies modeling for adaptive management of horseshoe crabs and red knots in the Delaware Bay      

      August 17, 2011    

Adaptive management requires that predictive models be explicit and transparent to improve decisions by comparing management actions, directing further research and monitoring, and facilitating learning. The rufa subspecies of red knots (Calidris canutus rufa), which has recently exhibited steep population declines, relies on horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) eggs as their primary food source during stopover in Delaware Bay during spring migration. We present a model with two different parameterizations for use in the adaptive management of horseshoe crab harvests in the Delaware Bay that links red knot mass gain, annual survival, and fecundity to horseshoe crab dynamics. The models reflect prevailing hypotheses regarding ecological links between these two species. When reported crab harvest from 1998 to 2008 was applied, projections corresponded to the observed red knot population abundances depending on strengths of the demographic relationship between these species. We compared different simulated horseshoe crab harvest strategies to evaluate whether, given this model, horseshoe crab harvest management can affect red knot conservation and found that restricting harvest can benefit red knot populations. Our model is the first to explicitly and quantitatively link these two species and will be used within an adaptive management framework to manage the Delaware Bay system and learn more about the specific nature of the linkage between the two species.

## Citation Information

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####                 Upper Midwest Water Science Center - Madison, WI, Office              

1 Gifford Pinchot DriveMadison, WI53726United States

608-828-9901

#### Conor McGowan, PhD

##### Research Wildlife Biologist

Cooperative Research Units

cmcgowan@usgs.gov

334-844-9231

#### David R Smith, Ph.D.

##### Research Statistician (Biology)

Eastern Ecological Science Center

drsmith@usgs.gov

304-724-4467

#### Julien Martin, Ph.D.

##### Supervisory Biologist

Eastern Ecological Science Center

julienmartin@usgs.gov

240-354-2934

#### James Nichols, Ph.D.

##### Scientist Emeritus 

Eastern Ecological Science Center

jnichols@usgs.gov

301-497-5660

## Related Content

####                 Upper Midwest Water Science Center - Madison, WI, Office              

1 Gifford Pinchot DriveMadison, WI53726United States

608-828-9901

#### Conor McGowan, PhD

##### Research Wildlife Biologist

Cooperative Research Units

cmcgowan@usgs.gov

334-844-9231

#### David R Smith, Ph.D.

##### Research Statistician (Biology)

Eastern Ecological Science Center

drsmith@usgs.gov

304-724-4467

#### Julien Martin, Ph.D.

##### Supervisory Biologist

Eastern Ecological Science Center

julienmartin@usgs.gov

240-354-2934

#### James Nichols, Ph.D.

##### Scientist Emeritus 

Eastern Ecological Science Center

jnichols@usgs.gov

301-497-5660

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####               Cooperative Research Units Program          

12201 Sunrise Valley DrReston, VA20192United States

(703) 648 - 4260

(703) 648 - 4269

####               Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Leetown Research Laboratory          

11649 Leetown RoadKearneysville, WV25430United States

####               Wetland and Aquatic Research Center - Gainesville, FL          

7920 NW 71st St.Gainesville, FL32653United States

352-378-8181

352-378-4956

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