Cattle trampling of simulated ground nests in rotationally grazed pastures
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Authors: L. Paine, D. J. Undersander, D. W. Sample, G. A. Bartelt, and T. A. Schatteman
Date: 1996
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 49
Number: 4
Pages: 294-300
Summary of Methods: The effects of three grazing durations and stocking density combinations (1 day-high density, 4 days-moderate intensity, 7 days-low intensity) on the survival of ground nests in May and June in southwestern Wisconsin was studied for one year. Simulated nests, with real eggs, were placed throughout treatment pastures without regard for vegetation cover, and observed 4 times a day to determine when nest damage is more likely. Vegetation height-density and percent cover were measured at each nest location before and after each grazing treatment.
Article Summary / Main Points: Around 25% of nests survived each grazing treatment, with the 7 day (low intensity) duration pastures having the highest nest success at 27%. Overall, the type of grazing treatment did not influence the number of damaged nests. Nest damage was consistent throughout day light and fell sharply at night when the site was grazed at high density for one day. More nests were damaged in the afternoon when grazed moderately for four days, while seven days of light density grazing had the most damaged nests in the early morning and late afternoon, which corresponded with cattle grazing periods. As vegetation height-density and percent cover increased so did nest success.
Vegetation Types: Other (includes Forest and Eastern) Tallgrass Prairie
MLRA Ecoregions: 105 Northern Mississippi Valley Loess Hills
Agrovoc Control Words: Bird nests Rangelands Grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: artificial nest, dummy nest, grassland songbirds, intensive rotational grazing, nest disturbance, nest survival, pastures
Annotation: This replicated study was conducted over only one spring and is applicable to similar rangeland locations using short duration grazing that have ground nesting birds. This study did not look at specific ground bird species and their nesting preferences, and being only one season did not measure long term trends, such as climate effects on vegetation structure and forage availability which may influence ground nest survival. As is true for all grazing research, the results are most directly applicable to areas with similar landscapes, type of ungulate, weather conditions and season of use. Additionally, Fondell and Ball (2004, Bio. Cons. 117:203-213) studied the density and success of ground bird nests affected by grazing in Montana grasslands, also available on the RSIS website.
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