Grassland bird densities in seral stages of mixed-grass prairie
-
-
Authors: S. C. Fritcher, M. A. Rumble, and L. D. Flake
Date: 2004
Journal: Rangeland Ecology & Management
Volume: 57
Number: 4
Pages: 351-357
Summary of Methods: Grassland bird density, species diversity and species richness within four seral stages (early, early-intermediate, late-intermediate and late) in South Dakota were studied for two years. Bird counts were conducted twice for four hours around sunrise beginning May 15 and ending June 30 at each study site. Vegetation measurements were taken during the same time as the bird counts. Additional vegetation composition was measured during July and August.
Article Summary / Main Points: Bird species, such as western meadowlark, burrowing owl, upland sandpiper, chestnut-collared longspur, and horned lark which preferred less dense and shorter vegetation were supported by early and early-intermediate seral stages. Bird species, such as grasshopper sparrows, bobolink, dickcissel, and brown-headed cowbirds that preferred late seral stages chose sites with greater vegetation and more litter. Still other bird species were generalists and able to utilize several seral stages. Overall, vegetation measures other than grasses (western buffalo grass, wheatgrass, and green needlegrass) were similar among seral stages.
Vegetation Types: Northern Mixed Prairie
MLRA Ecoregions: 63A Northern Rolling Pierre Shale Plains
Agrovoc Control Words: Ecological succession Rangelands Birds
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: fort pierre national grassland, south dakota, classification, range condition
Annotation: This replicated study was conducted over two years and its results apply to all grasslands. While the study did not measure any grazing effects on seral stage development and the resulting affects on bird habitat, other studies within the RSIS database do. For example, Fondell and Ball 2004 and Fontaine et al. 2004 look at grazing effects on grassland bird densities and nesting success on prairie grasslands. As with all rangeland research the results of this study are most directly applicable to sites with similar landscapes and plant communities.
-
Direct link not available.
-