Research observation: Effects of rangeland ecological condition on scaled quail sightings
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Authors: J. Joseph, J. L. Holechek, R. Valdez, M. Collins, and M. Thomas
Date: 2003
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 56
Number: 4
Pages: 314-318
Summary of Methods: The effects of late- and mid-seral range conditions, caused by long-term conservative and moderate grazing, on scaled quail sightings during and after a two year drought were examined in southcentral New Mexico (32° 32’ 30†N, 106° 52’ 30†W). Canopy cover and biomass were measured each fall, starting the year before the study. Scaled quail sightings were recorded over two years during the morning (7-11 am). Sighting occurred once per season (winter, spring, summer and fall), starting in winter.
Article Summary / Main Points: Scaled quail sightings across seasons and years were higher on late-seral/conservatively grazed pastures compared to mid-seral/moderately grazed pastures. With the exception of spring, more scaled quail sightings occurred in the wetter second year. During the wet year, annual grass biomass was greater than the previous year and the number of scaled quail sightings was not affected by range condition.
Vegetation Types: Desert Grasslands
MLRA Ecoregions: 42 Southern Desertic Basins, Plains, and Mountains
Agrovoc Control Words: Grazing Rangelands Birds
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: upland game birds, wildlife, arid lands, cattle grazing, rangelands
Annotation: This two year replicated study and its findings apply to desert grasslands. As is true for all grazing research, the results are most directly applicable to areas with similar landscapes, type of ungulate and wildlife species, weather conditions and season of use. Inclusion of a control treatment without grazing would be a benefit. Preference of moderately grazed sites in average precipitation years by quail is consistent with the findings of Joseph et al. (2004, J. Range Manage. 57:243-247) with mourning doves. Nelson et al. (1997, J. of Range Manage. 50:593-599) and Joseph et al. (2003, West. North Amer. Naturalist 63:43-49) found moderate and conservative grazing intensities had limited or no effect on various bird and mammal species. All three papers show similar conclusions about the impact grazing has on bird communities and are also available in the RSIS database.
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