Disturbance regimes and mountain plover habitat in shortgrass steppe: Large herbivore grazing does not substitute for prairie dog grazing or fire

Abstract

Restoring historical disturbance regimes to enhance habitat for grassland birds can conflict with livestock production goals and has been controversial because of uncertainty in the frequency and pattern of different disturbances prior to European settlement. We studied nesting habitat for the mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) in relation to prescribed fire, grazing by large herbivores (cattle), and grazing by black‐tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) in the shortgrass steppe of northeastern Colorado. Breeding mountain plovers primarily occurred on black‐tailed prairie dog colonies or areas burned during the previous dormant season. Vegetation surrounding mountain plover nests and foraging locations was characterized by a fine‐scale mosaic of prostrate (<4 cm tall) vegetated patches interspersed with >35% bare soil in a given square meter, with this fine‐scale pattern distributed over a broad (>100‐m radius) area. Mountain plovers rarely occupied grassland lacking prairie dogs or recent fire, but those that did selected sites with similar vegetation height and bare soil exposure as sites on burns and prairie dog colonies. Vegetation structure at mountain plover‐occupied sites was also similar to random sites on burns and prairie dog colonies, but differed substantially from sites managed only with cattle. Intensive cattle grazing at twice the recommended stocking rate during spring (Mar–May) or summer (May–Oct) for 6 years produced significantly less bare soil than burns and prairie dog colonies, particularly following years with average or above‐average precipitation. Thus, intensive cattle grazing did not substitute for prairie dog grazing or fire in terms of effects on vegetation structure and mountain plover habitat. Both prescribed burning and increased size and distribution of black‐tailed prairie dog colonies appear to be effective and complementary means to manage for mountain plover breeding habitat in shortgrass steppe. Provision of mountain plover habitat has tradeoffs with traditional management for livestock production. Thus, managers need to clearly define desired outcomes for management to provide multiple ecosystem goods and services. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.

Disturbance shapes avian communities on a grassland–sagebrush ecotone

“…Disturbances were common in the Great Plains, which evolved with drought, fire, ungulate grazing, and burrowing mammals (Samson andKnopf 1994, Anderson 2006). North American grassland birds evolved in the context of these frequent disturbances (Brawn et al 2001), and some species benefit specifically from fire as well as biotic ecosystem engineering via grazing by large ungulates or burrowing and clipping action by prairie dogs (Johnson 1997, Grant et al 2010, Augustine and Derner 2012, Ahlering and Merkord 2016. North American grassland birds evolved in the context of these frequent disturbances (Brawn et al 2001), and some species benefit specifically from fire as well as biotic ecosystem engineering via grazing by large ungulates or burrowing and clipping action by prairie dogs (Johnson 1997, Grant et al 2010, Augustine and Derner 2012, Ahlering and Merkord 2016.…”

Competition and facilitation between a native and a domestic herbivore: trade‐offs between forage quantity and quality

“…In the case of prairie dogs and cattle in the North American Great Plains, recognition of the keystone role of prairie dogs for other native fauna has been paralleled by concern about the economic impact of prairie dog conservation on livestock production. Many native plants and animals in the western Great Plains rely on resources or conditions provided by prairie dogs (e.g., Kotliar et al 1999, Desmond et al 2000, Kretzer and Cully 2001, Smith and Lomolino 2004, Augustine and Derner 2012. Past studies also show that (1) prairie dog diet overlaps substantially with cattle, and (2) prairie dogs significantly reduce standing herbaceous biomass (reviewed by Vermeire et al 2004, Detling 2006.…”

Habitat use by Mountain Plovers in prairie dog colonies in northeastern New Mexico

“…In fact, bare ground appears to be so important that, off of prairie dog colonies, bare ground may be a more important predictor of plover habitat suitability than vegetation height. Augustine and Derner (2012) determined that intensive cattle grazing that greatly reduced vegetation height still did not substitute for prairie dog activity in terms of generating plover habitat, primarily because it did not create enough bare ground.…”