Nest sites of ducks in grazed mixed-grass prairie in North Dakota
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Authors: H. F. Duebbert, J. T. Lokemoen, and D. E. Sharp
Date: 1986
Journal: The Prairie Naturalist
Volume: 18
Number: 2
Pages: 99-108
Summary of Methods: The effect of vegetative community (shrub dominated, little bluestem dominated, mixed grasses and forbs, exotics and invaders, and low prairie/wet meadow zones adjacent to wetlands) and grazing intensity (light, moderate, and heavy) on the nesting distribution and success of upland nesting ducks was studied in the mixed grass prairie of central North Dakota for five years. The water conditions for the prairie over the five years ranged from drought to very wet. Duck breeding pairs were counted in mid-May with nests checked every 10 days, before and after estimated hatch dates, to calculate nesting success. Vegetation cover and species composition were also measured at this time.
Article Summary / Main Points: The primary factor affecting nesting sites was the water conditions of the prairie. During a drought year, a low of 1 nest/100 ha were found compared to a high of 58 nests/100 ha during a very wet year. The duck species studied preferred building nests in specific vegetation types; with nesting success highest in mixed grass compositions. Some preferred shrub areas, while others preferred grasses and still others preferred specific species of grasses or shrubs. Light to moderate grazing provided high quality nesting cover, while high grazing reduced cover to levels that were less likely to provide quality nesting cover.
Vegetation Types: Northern Mixed Prairie
MLRA Ecoregions: 53B Central Dark Brown Glaciated Plains
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: dabbling ducks, rotational grazing, nesting cover, vegetation, wetland, prairie health
Annotation: The results of this study are applicable to prairie grassland where upland ducks are likely to nest. A variety of factors influencing prairie health, including the resource needs of both nesting ducks and livestock were examined. While the study accounted for water conditions in relation to duck nesting, there was no mention of how water conditions affected grazing conditions and the possible implications of grazing during a drought year on nesting success the following year. The effect of a prolonged drought (more than one or two years) on nesting and grazing needs to be examined.
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