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Habitat Management to Deter Wildlife at Airports (2014)

Chapter: Chapter Eleven - Conclusions and Further Research

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Page 44
Suggested Citation:"Chapter Eleven - Conclusions and Further Research ." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2014. Habitat Management to Deter Wildlife at Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/22375.
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Page 44

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44 chapter eleven CONCLUSIONS AND FURTHER RESEARCH This synthesis has described many potential attractants to hazardous wildlife on and around airports and provided examples of methods for reducing the risk caused by these habitat features. It is impor- tant to keep in mind the unique situation of each airport and the management techniques that can best be integrated into an inclusive and adaptive plan for addressing wildlife hazards. Working closely with engineers, planners, biologists, landscapers, and maintenance staff will help airport operators charged with minimizing wildlife hazards understand the various issues. Further, each habitat management approach can be evaluated for effectiveness as well as dollar value. Some control techniques may be very simple and inexpensive, and can be tried before using more complex solutions; integrating these methods may have improved effect, and habitat manage- ment may enhance them even further by making certain areas and resources less suitable or attractive. It may help if operators keep in mind that most wildlife attractants are related to food, water, or cover, and may be easily removed without damaging airport functionality. However, the complexities of wildlife ecology can make it difficult to completely eliminate a conflict with wildlife. Many species can be persistent and may adapt to changes in habitat, while other species may take advantage of beneficial changes in habitat. Airports often cover relatively large areas of open space and may include or be surrounded by several different habitat types (e.g., grasslands, pavement, forest, agriculture). This diversity of habi- tats may attract a variety of wildlife species with a unique resource needs and preferences. Not all of these species will pose a risk to aircraft safety, and the airport environment may have a positive impact on conservation of non-hazardous species, including some that are threatened or endangered. Local, state, and federal policies and laws may limit the control techniques that are allowed, from stormwater management to removal of wetlands or extirpation of protected wildlife. Acquiring per- mits can be the most difficult part of habitat management, and it helps if operators are prepared for political or public criticism of their management strategies, including the removal of resources that attract wildlife. Numerous case examples at airports and a synthesis of much of the scientific literature on wildlife habitat management at airports were provided here. However, what works best for controlling a wild- life problem at one airport may not be effective for the same wildlife species or hazardous situation elsewhere. There remains much to learn about how best to manage airport habitats to reduce suitabil- ity for wildlife species considered hazardous to aircraft, including identifying additional turfgrass species less appealing to wildlife; reducing wildlife-attracting agricultural operations; modifying or eliminating platform and perching structures on airport property; and developing more methods of controlling stormwater to reduce attractive surface water.

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TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Synthesis 52: Habitat Management to Deter Wildlife at Airports presents information on habitat management to deter wildlife at airports and manage risk to aviation. It is the third of three related syntheses of airport practice reports and completes the series wildlife risk management at airports.

ACRP Synthesis builds on previous ACRP documents, including ACRP Synthesis 23, ACRP Report 32, and ACRP Synthesis 39, which address bird deterrence and harassment techniques, various wildlife hazards and control techniques, and population management methods, respectively.

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