Field-level spatial factors, associated edges, and dickcissel nesting ecology on reclaimed lands in Texas

Restoration of Grasslands and Nesting Success of Dickcissels (Spiza americana)

“…Data collected for each nest included species of substrate in which the nest was found, height of nest, percentage concealment from each cardinal direction, whether the nest was parasitized, size of clutch, and location of the point. Brood parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) is common for dickcissels, although frequencies can vary regionally; in Texas, such parasitism generally is low (12%; Patten et al, 2006;Dixon et al, 2008). If the nest failed, we noted signs of predation such as whether the nest had been torn apart, was tipped to the ground, had egg-shell fragments, or had rodent droppings in the vicinity as described by Best and Stauffer (1980) and Wray et al (1982).…”

The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Dickcissel (<em>Spiza americana</em>)

“…Nest sites also had a higher percentage cover of vertical nest strata at 0-1 m and at 2-3 m than paired sites. In another study of restored savanna in Texas, Dickcissels selected nest sites with low vegetative ground cover (that is, low visual obstruction), plenty of tall, dead forbs for perch sites and high amounts of clover and bunchgrass (Dixon, 2005) (Monroe and others, 2019).…”

“…Nests typically are built above the ground in grasses, forbs, shrubs, or trees, and less commonly on the ground in and under thick vegetation (Gross, 1921a(Gross, ,b, 1968Overmire, 1962Overmire, , 1963Meanley, 1963;Zimmerman, 1966;Blankespoor, 1970;Eddleman, 1974;Fretwell, 1977;Frawley, 1989;Winter, 1999). Nest heights range from 0 to 2 m (Taber, 1947;Ely, 1957;Meanley, 1963;Long and others, 1965;Von Steen, 1965;Gross, 1968;Berry, 1971;Roth, 1979;Laubach, 1984;Winter, 1998;Dixon, 2005). In Nebraska, nests averaged 34 cm high in alfalfa plants and rose (Rosa spp.)…”

“…At another nearby restored surface mine, Dickcissels commonly nested in oaks, willow baccharis (Baccharis salicina), pines (Pinus spp. ), Wilman's lovegrass (Eragrostis superba), switchgrass, and bushy bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus) (Dixon, 2005). Oaks and pines were preferred substrates, baccharis was not avoided or selected, and bunchgrasses were avoided.…”

Rehabilitation of abandoned mine sites: connection to bioprospecting of metal tolerant plants and phytoassisted rhizoremediation

“…Hyperaccumulator plants are geographically distributed and are found throughout the plant kingdom (Brooks, 1998). For latest information about such plants please refer to Demers et al, 2008;Dixon et al, 2008;Green & Renault, 2008;Lottermoser et al, 2008;Trois et al, 2007;Prasad, 2004Prasad, a-c, 2006Prasad, a-d, 2007Prasad et al, 2006 and others. Tree-grasslegume association was found to be the best combination for restoration of mica, copper, tungeston, marble, dolomite, limestone, and mine spoils of Rajasthan and elsewhere in India (Prasad, 2007).…”