Great Plains ecosystems: past, present, and future

Samson, Fred B.; Knopf, Fritz L.; Ostlie, Wayne

doi:10.2193/0091-7648(2004)32[6:gpeppa]2.0.co;2

Cited by 414 publications

(332 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Native grasslands have been altered to a greater extent than any other biome in North America (Samson et al 2004), resulting in the conversion of the once diverse grassland landscape into a collection of homogenous grassland fragments interspersed with agricultural fields (Lomolino et al 2001, Brockway et al 2002, Brennan and Kuvlesky 2005. These alterations are likely to have contributed to the continental-scale declines in grassland avifauna, which have been steeper and more consistent than declines in any other avian guild over the past century (Knopf 1994).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drought and Cooler Temperatures Are Associated with Higher Nest Survival in Mountain Plovers

Dreitz¹,

Conrey²,

Skagen³

2012

ACE

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ABSTRACT. Native grasslands have been altered to a greater extent than any other biome in North America. The habitats and resources needed to support breeding performance of grassland birds endemic to prairie ecosystems are currently threatened by land management practices and impending climate change. Climate models for the Great Plains prairie region predict a future of hotter and drier summers with strong multiyear droughts and more frequent and severe precipitation events. We examined how fluctuations in weather conditions in eastern Colorado influenced nest survival of an avian species that has experienced recent population declines, the Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus). Nest survival averaged 27.2% over a 7-yr period (n = 936 nests) and declined as the breeding season progressed. Nest survival was favored by dry conditions and cooler temperatures. Projected changes in regional precipitation patterns will likely influence nest survival, with positive influences of predicted declines in summer rainfall yet negative effects of more intense rain events. The interplay of climate change and land use practices within prairie ecosystems may result in Mountain Plovers shifting their distribution, changing local abundance, and adjusting fecundity to adapt to their changing environment.RÉSUMÉ. Les prairies naturelles ont été plus grandement modifiées que tout autre biome en Amérique du Nord. L'habitat et les ressources nécessaires pour favoriser la performance reproductrice des oiseaux de prairie endémiques de ces écosystèmes sont actuellement menacés par les pratiques de gestion des terres et les changements climatiques imminents. Les modèles climatiques pour les prairies des Grandes Plaines prévoient des étés plus chauds et plus secs, des sécheresses sévères durant plusieurs années et des évènements de précipitation plus fréquents et intenses que ce qu'on observe présentement. Nous avons examiné les effets des fluctuations des conditions météorologiques dans l'est du Colorado sur la survie des nids chez une espèce aviaire ayant subi un récent déclin des populations, le Pluvier montagnard (Charadrius montanus). Le taux de survie des nids s'élevait à 27,2 % en moyenne sur une période de 7 ans (n = 936 nids) et diminuait à mesure que progressait la saison de reproduction. La survie des nids était supérieure quand les conditions étaient sèches et les températures fraîches. Les changements prévus dans les tendances régionales des précipitations influenceront vraisemblablement la survie des nids : tandis que la diminution des précipitations estivales prévue entraînera un effet positif sur la survie, les évènements de précipitation plus intenses prévus auront, quant à eux, un effet négatif. L'interaction des changements climatiques et des pratiques d'utilisation des sols dans les écosystèmes de prairie amènera peut-être le Pluvier montagnard à modifier sa répartition, son abondance locale et sa fécondité pour s'adapter à l'environnement changeant.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drought and Cooler Temperatures Are Associated with Higher Nest Survival in Mountain Plovers

Dreitz¹,

Conrey²,

Skagen³

2012

ACE

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“…Great Plains grasslands are one of the most threatened ecosystems in North America (Cully et al, 2003;Samson et al, 2004). Historically, conversion of grasslands to row-crop agriculture was the major cause of grassland loss (White et al, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Historically, conversion of grasslands to row-crop agriculture was the major cause of grassland loss (White et al, 2000). However, loss of ecological drivers, including periodic fire and large native herbivore grazing, has further degraded grassland quality by facilitating tree encroachment (Samson et al, 2004;Engle et al, 2008). Encroachment by trees in the Southern Great Plains has replaced conversion of grassland to row-crop agriculture as the major cause of contemporary grassland fragmentation and degradation (Bragg and Hulbert, 1976;Coppedge et al, 2001aCoppedge et al, , 2001bEngle et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Age‐Specific Survival and Probable Causes of Mortality in Female Lesser Prairie‐Chickens

et al. 2007

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Long‐term population declines and habitat reductions have increased concern over the status of the lesser prairie‐chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus). Robust estimates of demographic parameters are essential for identifying population declines and planning effective management. We evaluated the effects of age and season on the survival of female lesser prairie‐chickens at 2 sites in southwestern Kansas, USA. Using telemetry data from a 7‐year field study (from 1997 to 2003), we estimated seasonal (Apr—Sep) and annual (Apr—Mar) survival. We also examined daily survival rates of females attending nests during the 26‐day incubation period and young during the 14‐day early brood‐rearing period. We evaluated the probable mortality causes of radiomarked birds by examining evidence at recovery sites. We captured 227 female lesser prairie‐chickens (87 yearlings, 117 ad, and 23 age undetermined) and fitted them with radiotransmitters. Estimates of 12‐month survival were lower among yearlings (Ŝ12 = 0.429, SE = 0.117) and adults at site I (Ŝ12 > = 0.302, SE = 0.080) than among yearlings (Ŝ12 = 0.588, SE = 0.100) and adults at site II (Ŝ12 > = 0.438, SE = 0.083). The patterns in timing of mortality and age‐specific 6‐month survival were consistent with those of 12‐month estimates at site I from 1998 to 2002, with a peak in mortality during May and June. Females tending to nests or to prefledged chicks had lower daily survival (DŜRtend = 0.993, SE = 0.001) than females not involved in these activities (DŜRfailedbreeder = 0.997, SE = 0.002). We recorded 92 mortalities from April 1997 to March 2003, and 59% and 11% were attributed to predation by mammals and raptors, respectively. Our research suggests that predation during the nesting season can have a major impact on lesser prairie‐chicken demography, and conservation efforts should focus on enhancing female survival during the nesting and brood‐rearing seasons.

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“…Tallgrass prairie, which originally covered over 675,828 km 2 (167 million acres) and has been reduced to between 4 and 13% of its original extent, is characterized by high plant and forb diversity (Samson and Knopf 1994;Samson et al 2004). Bees are known to be negatively affected by habitat loss and fragmentation (Winfree et al 2009), which makes both pollinators and plants-of which an estimated 80% rely on animal pollination for seed set (Ollerton et al 2011)-at risk in prairie landscapes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%