Effects of Landscape Composition and Multi-scale Habitat Characteristics on the Grassland Bird Community

Download or read book Effects of Landscape Composition and Multi-scale Habitat Characteristics on the Grassland Bird Community written by Timothy Dean McCoy and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 318 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Measures of grassland bird demography on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields were compared and modeled at several spatial scales to identify habitat factors associated with increased conservation value for grassland birds. Grassland bird populations and species richness were compared between fields located in landscapes with different amounts of CRP habitat and total grassland. Multi-scale habitat models were developed from and validated on two independent data sets to identify the primary habitat features that could predict the potential value of CRP and other idle grasslands for grassland bird conservation. The frequency of occurrence, abundance, and nest density of Henslow's sparrows (Ammodramus henslowii) and abundance of bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) were higher in fields located in high grassland landscapes (55-75%) than low grassland landscapes (20-35%), whereas field sparrows (Spizella pusilla) were less likely to be present in high grassland landscapes. However, field sparrow reproductive performance was similar between high CRP, high grassland landscapes and the seemingly preferred low CRP, low grassland landscapes. Dickcissel (Spiza americana) and sedge wren (Cistothorus platensis) occurrence, song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) abundance, and red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) nesting success were higher in landscapes with high levels of CRP enrollment (20-35%) than those with low levels (5-12%). Multi-scale habitat models were useful for predicting occurrence and abundance of grassland birds, but not for predicting nesting success. The amount of woody edge around fields was negatively related to presence and abundance of several grasslandnesting species, whereas field sparrows (Spizella pussilla) were positively associated with the amount of woody edge around fields. Grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) and eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna) occurrence and abundance increased with shorter, less dense vegetation, whereas common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) presence and abundance and red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) abundance increased with taller, more dense vegetation. Grassland conservation and management efforts must recognize that habitat factors from several spatial scales may limit the conservation value of specific sites for grassland birds.