Agricultural practices and residual corn during spring crane and waterfowl migration in Nebraska

Sherfy, Mark H.; Anteau, Michael J.; Bishop, Andy

doi:10.1002/jwmg.157

Cited by 23 publications

(21 citation statements)

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“…Idle cornfields were less likely to be used by geese and cranes than other treatments even though idle fields had 89% more corn than fields that were tilled and had 31–51% more corn than fields that were grazed, mulched, or both (Sherfy et al 2011). Baldassarre et al (1983) proposed that burning crop stubble may make foods more available to birds because it removes litter that covers seeds.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In springs 2005–2007, we monitored crane and goose use and sampled corn density in 188 cornfields (57, 69, and 62, respectively; Sherfy et al 2011). However, in early April, producers begin to increase activity in fields and many fields were tilled or mulched in preparation for the growing season.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, in early April, producers begin to increase activity in fields and many fields were tilled or mulched in preparation for the growing season. In each year, some fields changed to a different treatment during our monitoring period (Sherfy et al 2011). We excluded fields in which treatment changed prior to the conclusion of our observations ( n = 40) or that had a missing value ( n = 1).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During springs 2005–2007, we sampled waste corn density on each surveyed field at the beginning of spring migration (see Sherfy et al 2011). Our sampling corresponded with pre‐arrival or early‐migration of ducks, geese, and cranes (2005: 2 Feb–4 Mar; 2006: 9 Feb–6 Mar; 2007: 21 Feb–9 Mar).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During spring migration, waterfowl and cranes stopping in the CPRV consume corn remaining in fields after harvest to store significant proportions of nutrient reserves needed for migration and reproduction (Reinecke and Krapu 1986; Krapu et al 1995, 2004). Density of residual corn in the CPRV has recently declined, due to changes in types of crops grown, agricultural practices conducted after harvest (hereafter post‐harvest treatment), and increases in harvest efficiency (Krapu et al 2004, Pearse et al 2010, Sherfy et al 2011). Recent increases in the mid‐continental population of lesser snow geese, their use of the CPRV, and their preference for residual corn during spring has potential to dramatically alter the amount of corn available to other species including cranes (Alisauskas and Ankney 1992 b , Krapu et al 2005).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Location and agricultural practices influence spring use of harvested cornfields by cranes and geese in Nebraska

2011

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Millions of ducks, geese, and sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis; hereafter cranes) stop in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) of Nebraska to store nutrients for migration and reproduction by consuming corn remaining in fields after harvest. We examined factors that influence use of cornfields by cranes and geese (all mid‐continent species combined; e.g., Anser, Chen, and Branta spp.) because it is a key step to efficient conservation planning aimed at ensuring that adequate food resources are available to migratory birds stopping in the CPRV. Distance to night‐time roost site, segment of the CPRV (west to east), and agricultural practices (post‐harvest treatment of cornfields: idle, grazed, mulched, mulched and grazed, and tilled) were the most important and influential variables in our models for geese and cranes. Probability of cornfield use by geese and cranes decreased with increasing distance from the closest potential roosting site. The use of cornfields by geese increased with the density of corn present there during the early migration period, but field use by cranes appeared not to be influenced by early migration corn density. However, probability of cornfield use by cranes did increase with the amount of wet grassland habitat within 4.8 km of the field. Geese were most likely to use fields that were tilled and least likely to use fields that were mulched and grazed. Cranes were most likely to use fields that were mulched and least likely to use fields that were tilled, but grazing appeared not to influence the likelihood of field use by cranes. Geese were more likely to use cornfields in western segments of the CPRV, but cranes were more likely to use cornfields in eastern segments. Our data suggest that managers could favor crane use of fields and reduce direct competition with geese by reducing fall and spring tilling and increasing mulching. Moreover, crane conservation efforts would be most beneficial if they were focused in the eastern portions of the CPRV and in fields as close as possible to both known roosting and large amounts of wet grassland habitats. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Location and agricultural practices influence spring use of harvested cornfields by cranes and geese in Nebraska

2011

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Winners and losers of land use change: A systematic review of interactions between the world’s crane species (Gruidae) and the agricultural sector

Hemminger

König

Månsson

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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While agricultural intensification and expansion are major factors driving loss and degradation of natural habitat and species decline, some wildlife species also benefit from agriculturally managed habitats. This may lead to high population densities with impacts on both human livelihoods and wildlife conservation. Cranes are a group of 15 species worldwide, affected both negatively and positively by agricultural practices. While eleven species face critical population declines, numbers of common cranes (Grus grus) and sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) have increased drastically in the last 40 years. Their increase is associated with higher incidences of crane foraging on agricultural crops, causing financial losses to farmers. Our aim was to synthesize scientific knowledge on the bilateral effects of land use change and crane populations. We conducted a systematic literature review of peer‐reviewed publications on agriculture‐crane interactions (n = 135) and on the importance of agricultural crops in the diet of cranes (n = 81). Agricultural crops constitute a considerable part of the diet of all crane species (average of 37%, most frequently maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)). Crop damage was identified in only 10% of all agriculture‐crane interactions, although one‐third of interactions included cranes foraging on cropland. Using a conceptual framework analysis, we identified two major pathways in agriculture‐crane interactions: (1) habitat loss with negative effects on crane species dependent on specific habitats, and (2) expanding agricultural habitats with superabundant food availability beneficial for opportunistic crane species. The degree to which crane species can adapt to agricultural land use changes may be an important factor explaining their population response. We conclude that multi‐objective management needs to combine land sparing and land sharing strategies at landscape scale. To support viable crane populations while guaranteeing sustainable agricultural production, it is necessary to include the perspectives of diverse stakeholders and streamline conservation initiatives and agricultural policy accordingly.

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Spring migration ecology of the mid‐continent sandhill crane population with an emphasis on use of the Central Platte River Valley, Nebraska

Krapu

Brandt

Kinzel

et al. 2014

Wildlife Monographs

109

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We conducted a 10-year study (1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007) of the Mid-Continent Population (MCP) of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) to identify spring-migration corridors, locations of major stopovers, and migration chronology by crane breeding affiliation (western Alaska-Siberia [WA-S], northern Canada-Nunavut [NC-N], west-central Canada-Alaska [WC-A], and east-central Canada-Minnesota [EC-M]). In the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) of Nebraska, we evaluated factors influencing staging chronology, food habits, fat storage, and habitat use of sandhill cranes. We compared our findings to results from the Platte River Ecology Study conducted during [1978][1979][1980]. We determined spring migration corridors used by the breeding affiliations (designated subpopulations for management purposes) by monitoring 169 cranes marked with platform transmitter terminals (PTTs). We also marked and monitored 456 cranes in the CPRV with very high frequency (VHF) transmitters to evaluate length and pattern of stay, habitat use, and movements. An estimated 42% and 58% of cranes staging in the CPRV were greater sandhill cranes (G. c. tabida) and lesser sandhill cranes (G. c. canadensis), and they stayed for an average of 20 and 25 days (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007), respectively. Cranes from the WA-S, NC-N, WC-A, and EC-M affiliations spent an average of 72, 77, 52, and 53 days, respectively, in spring migration of which 28, 23, 24, and 18 days occurred in the CPRV. The majority of the WA-S subpopulation settled in the CPRV apparently because of inadequate habitat to support more birds upstream, although WA-S cranes accounted for >90% of birds staging in the North Platte River Valley. Crane staging duration in the CPRV was negatively correlated with arrival dates; 92% of cranes stayed >7 days. A program of annual mechanical removal of mature stands of woody growth and seedlings that began in the early 1980s primarily in the main channel of the Platte River has allowed distribution of crane roosts to remain relatively stable over the past 2 decades. Most cranes returned to nocturnal roost sites used in previous years. Corn residues dominated the diet of sandhill cranes in the CPRV, as in the 1970s, despite a marked decline in standing crop of corn residues. Only 14% (10 of 74) of PTT-marked migrant cranes stayed at stopovers for !5 days before arriving in the CPRV, which limited the contribution of sites south of the CPRV for fat accumulation needed for migration and reproduction. Body masses of cranes (after adjusting for body size [an index of fat]) at arrival in the CPRV varied widely among years (1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006), indicating the importance of maintaining productive habitats on the wintering grounds to condition cranes for migration and reproduction. Average rates of fat gain by adult females while in the CPRV remained similar from 1978-1979 to 1998-1999 but declined among males. Distances cranes flew to feeding grounds in the C...

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Agricultural practices and residual corn during spring crane and waterfowl migration in Nebraska

Cited by 23 publications

References 33 publications

Location and agricultural practices influence spring use of harvested cornfields by cranes and geese in Nebraska

Location and agricultural practices influence spring use of harvested cornfields by cranes and geese in Nebraska

Winners and losers of land use change: A systematic review of interactions between the world’s crane species (Gruidae) and the agricultural sector

Spring migration ecology of the mid‐continent sandhill crane population with an emphasis on use of the Central Platte River Valley, Nebraska

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