It is necessary periodically to identify research priorities so that future
research will be directed toward the most pertinent issues in waterfowl ec
ology and management. To that end, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Cente
r convened a quorum of experts on the ecology of breeding waterfowl, the Wa
terfowl Working Group, to 1) develop a mission statement, 2) identify water
fowl research priorities in the northern Great Plains, and 3) determine the
frequency for re-identifying research needs. Research needs (nonprioritize
d) identified by the group and described in detail herein included: 1) dete
rmine effects of landscape factors on demographics and recruitment of ducks
in the Prairie Pothole Region; 2) develop, improve, or update estimates of
important parameters used in existing models for management and planning;
3) evaluate waterfowl management activities at broad, regional scales; 4) d
irect studies at waterfowl species of concern; and 5) evaluate applicabilit
y of the bird-conservation-area concept to waterfowl. The Waterfowl Working
Group will reconsider research priorities at 2-year intervals.