Nest Survival of Grassland Birds in Warm- and Cool-season Grassland Restorations

Jaster, Levi A.; Jensen, William E.; Forbes, Andrew R.

doi:10.1674/0003-0031-171.2.246

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 33 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Vegetation structure (height and density) was greatest for non-grazed NWSG pastures and tended to be lower and more similar among grazed treatments (exotic and native grass; Monroe, 2014), suggesting the observed trends in dickcissel productivity reflect the availability of suitable nest sites in each treatment due to a combination of stand-type and management, rather a response to plant species or origin per se. Importance of structure for dickcissels also is supported in previous studies that observed similar densities of this species in cool-and warm-season grass fields (Jacobs et al, 2012;Jaster et al, 2014), whereas dickcissels responded positively to tall fescue-dominated pastures when livestock management increased biomass of native warm-season grasses (Johnson and Sandercock, 2010). Densities of dickcissels also did not differ significantly between grazed bermudagrass and restored native grass pastures in Blackland Prairie of Texas (Lituma et al, 2012).…”

Section: Widespread Establishment Of Exotic Forages For Beef Productisupporting

confidence: 68%

“…We estimated similar superpopulation sizes in 2011 (N s = 332, 95% CI: 207, 598) and in 2012 (N s = 390, 95% CI: 241, 698). Of the nests found from nest searching, we observed 18 nests each year that reached the fledged stage, lower than the number of fledged nests estimated for 2011 (37, 95% CI: 25, 60) and 2012 (27,95% CI: 20,41). In 2011, our density estimates of successful nests increased with decreasing management intensity among treatments (i.e., GMEP < GINP < GMNP < NMNP; Fig.…”

Section: Derived Parameterscontrasting

confidence: 55%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Converting exotic forages to native warm-season grass can increase avian productivity in beef production systems

Monroe

Chandler

Burger

et al. 2016

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Grasslands are among the most imperiled ecosystems in the world, and establishment of exotic forage grasses and management for uniform utilization may have contributed to population declines of many obligate grassland bird species in North America. Native warm-season grasses (NWSG) are increasingly promoted as viable alternatives to exotic forages currently in production such as bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinacea), but structure of native bunchgrasses also may offer nesting habitat for birds such as the dickcissel (Spiza americana). Establishing NWSG pastures may thereby create an opportunity for land-sharing, where agriculture incorporates biodiversity-friendly practices. We investigated dickcissel responses to NWSG and grazing at the Prairie Research Unit in Monroe Co., Mississippi (USA), where we established a gradient of management intensity among four treatments in small, operational-scale pastures (6.4−10.5 ha). Treatments included grazed exotic forages, two grazed NWSG treatments including Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) monoculture and grazed mixed NWSG polyculture of Indian grass, little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), and a non-grazed NWSG polyculture treatment. We applied a multi-state capture-recapture model in a Bayesian framework to estimate dickcissel nest density and productivity while accounting for nest stage-specific variation in survival and detection. Nest density and productivity were consistently greater in non-grazed NWSG than grazed exotic pasture, whereas grazed NWSG productivity was intermediate but declined between years. We also found that variation in survival and density did not always correspond with estimated productivity, and thus solely relying on either parameter may be misleading when making inferences on habitat quality. These results suggest a positive response to NWSG among dickcissels in this system, but grazing may reduce nest site availability, and 3 consequently productivity. Native warm-season forages may be a viable land-sharing alternative by increasing productivity of tall structure specialists such as dickcissels compared with exotic grass pastures currently in production, but grazing should be managed to ensure availability of tall vegetation structure for nest sites.

show abstract

Section: Widespread Establishment Of Exotic Forages For Beef Productisupporting

confidence: 68%

Section: Derived Parameterscontrasting

confidence: 55%

Converting exotic forages to native warm-season grass can increase avian productivity in beef production systems

Monroe

Chandler

Burger

et al. 2016

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Numerous studies have shown that native warmseason plant species can be beneficial to breeding grassland birds (Walk and Warner 2000;Giuliano and Daves 2002;Bakker and Higgins 2009;Jaster et al 2014), although little if any work has examined the use of warm-season grasses by birds during the winter. Most reclaimed surface mines are dominated by non-native coolseason plant species (Bajema et al 2001;Monroe and Ritchison 2005;Galligan et al 2006;Stauffer et al 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abundance and Habitat Associations of Winter and Spring Birds on a Reclaimed Surface Mine (The Wilds) in Ohio, USA

Ingold

2022

OJS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Several studies have examined how grassland birds use reclaimed surface mines during the breeding season, but few studies have documented how these birds use these areas during the winter and early spring months. Using point counts, birds occupying a reclaimed surface-mine site in southeastern Ohio were surveyed from late December 2020 to April 2021. The primary objective was to document bird abundance and species richness across a temporal gradient spanning from late December 2020 through April 2021. Additionally, bird species composition was examined in habitat patches dominated by cool-season plants and in a single warm-season plot dominated by switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). A total of 1,452 bird sightings were made consisting of 40 species in 7 orders. Songbirds (order Passeriformes) comprised 60% of all sightings, and most of these (53%) were Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), Eastern Meadowlarks (Sturnella magna), and Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Thirty-nine species were observed on cool-season sites versus 13 species in the switchgrass plot. Species including returning Eastern Meadowlarks, Henslow's Sparrows (Centronyx henslowii), and Field Sparrows (Spizella pusilla) were common on the cool-season plots, but uncommon or absent in the switchgrass plot. Conversely, the switchgrass plot had more wintering American Tree Sparrows (Spizelloides arborea) and returning Swamp Sparrows (Melospiza georgiana). Return rates of long-distance migratory species fell within the time frames for these species as obtained from previous studies in this region. The diverse habitat structure of the cool-season portions of this study site attracted some winter species, including birds of prey, as well as several returning migratory species.

show abstract

“…Several studies have examined factors influencing nest success and habitat use for adult Henslow's Sparrow (Zimmerman 1988, Herkert 1994, Winter 1999, Monroe and Ritchison 2005, Graves et al 2010, Jaster et al 2014. However, survival and habitat use during other potentially important life-stages remain unexamined.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Postfledging habitat selection and survival of Henslow’s Sparrow: management implications for a critical life stage

Young¹,

Cox²,

McCarty³

et al. 2019

ACE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Conserving populations of species that rely on rare habitat requires that managers understand which habitat characteristics will best support population growth across multiple life stages. For songbirds, management is most often aimed at nesting adult habitat associations. However, habitat that meets adult requirements may not be similarly suited to requirements for other life stages. Henslow's Sparrow (Centronyx henslowii) is a tallgrass prairie songbird listed as threatened or endangered in 13 states. We examined survival and habitat selection of Henslow's Sparrow during the postfledging period. During the nesting seasons in 2015 and 2016, we attached radio transmitters to 46 nestlings in a tallgrass prairie and modeled their survival and habitat selection as a function of habitat characteristics. Thirty-five percent of fledglings survived until two weeks postfledge. Survival was negatively associated with areas of sumac (Rhus copallinum) cover, positively associated with years since last burn, and decreased as the breeding season progressed. Snakes were the most common predator of fledglings. Independent fledglings used habitat that was different than that used by adults and dependent fledglings, with habitat used during the independent period having lower litter cover and increased forb cover compared to points used during the dependent period. During the dependent period, points used by fledglings were a mean distance of 40 m (± 11 SD) from the natal nest. Following independence, points used by fledglings were 236 m (± 89 SD) from the natal nest. Henslow's Sparrow populations may benefit from removal of encroaching sumac in tallgrass prairie, and from consideration of the varying habitats used by the species during different life stages. Sélection d'habitat après l'envol et survie chez le Bruant de Henslow: répercussions sur l'aménagement à un stade critique du cycle vital RÉSUMÉ. Pour assurer la conservation de populations d'espèces qui dépendent de milieux rares, les gestionnaires doivent comprendre quelles caractéristiques influent positivement sur la croissance des populations au cours des divers stades du cycle vital. Dans le cas des oiseaux chanteurs, l'aménagement est souvent orienté sur les adultes nicheurs et leurs habitats. Toutefois, les milieux qui conviennent aux adultes ne sont pas nécessairement les mêmes que ceux qui sont utilisés durant les autres stades du cycle vital. Le Bruant de Henslow (Centronyx henslowii), oiseau chanteur de milieux de prairie à grandes graminées, figure sur la liste des oiseaux menacés ou en voie de disparition dans 13 États. Nous avons examiné la survie et la sélection d'habitat chez le Bruant de Henslow durant la période suivant l'envol des jeunes. Durant les saisons de nidification de 2015 et 2016, nous avons fixé des émetteurs radio sur 46 oisillons dans une prairie à grandes graminées et avons modélisé leur survie et leur sélection d'habitat en fonction des caractéristiques d'habitat. Trentecinq pourcent des jeunes ayant pris leur envol ont survécu jusqu'à deux ...

show abstract

Nest Survival of Grassland Birds in Warm- and Cool-season Grassland Restorations

Cited by 8 publications

References 33 publications

Converting exotic forages to native warm-season grass can increase avian productivity in beef production systems

Converting exotic forages to native warm-season grass can increase avian productivity in beef production systems

Abundance and Habitat Associations of Winter and Spring Birds on a Reclaimed Surface Mine (The Wilds) in Ohio, USA

Postfledging habitat selection and survival of Henslow’s Sparrow: management implications for a critical life stage

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Nest Survival of Grassland Birds in Warm- and Cool-season Grassland Restorations

Cited by 8 publications

References 33 publications

Converting exotic forages to native warm-season grass can increase avian productivity in beef production systems

Converting exotic forages to native warm-season grass can increase avian productivity in beef production systems

Abundance and Habitat Associations of Winter and Spring Birds on a Reclaimed Surface Mine (The Wilds) in Ohio, USA

Postfledging habitat selection and survival of Henslow&#8217;s Sparrow: management implications for a critical life stage

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Postfledging habitat selection and survival of Henslow’s Sparrow: management implications for a critical life stage