Influence of Woody Vegetation on Grassland Birds Within Reclaimed Surface Mines

Graves, Bret M.; Rodewald, Amanda D.; Hull, Scott D.

doi:10.1676/09-101.1

Cited by 27 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 35 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Our results were analogous to those with other forms of grassland management, for example at reclaimed mines [62] and CRP plantings [63], [64], where grassland birds have responded, using previously unoccupied habitat. The removal of tree rows enlarged grassland habitat patches, effectively changing each focal tree row into the core of a new (larger) grassland patch.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Impacts of Tree Rows on Grassland Birds and Potential Nest Predators: A Removal Experiment

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Globally, grasslands and the wildlife that inhabit them are widely imperiled. Encroachment by shrubs and trees has widely impacted grasslands in the past 150 years. In North America, most grassland birds avoid nesting near woody vegetation. Because woody vegetation fragments grasslands and potential nest predator diversity and abundance is often greater along wooded edge and grassland transitions, we measured the impacts of removing rows of trees and shrubs that intersected grasslands on potential nest predators and the three most abundant grassland bird species (Henslow’s sparrow [Ammodramus henslowii], Eastern meadowlark [Sturnella magna], and bobolink [Dolichonyx oryzivorus]) at sites in Wisconsin, U.S.A. We monitored 3 control and 3 treatment sites, for 1 yr prior to and 3 yr after tree row removal at the treatment sites. Grassland bird densities increased (2–4 times for bobolink and Henslow’s sparrow) and nesting densities increased (all 3 species) in the removal areas compared to control areas. After removals, Henslow’s sparrows nested within ≤50 m of the treatment area, where they did not occur when tree rows were present. Most dramatically, activity by woodland-associated predators nearly ceased (nine-fold decrease for raccoon [Procyon lotor]) at the removals and grassland predators increased (up to 27 times activity for thirteen-lined ground squirrel [Ictidomys tridecemlineatus]). Nest success did not increase, likely reflecting the increase in grassland predators. However, more nests were attempted by all 3 species (175 versus 116) and the number of successful nests for bobolinks and Henslow’s sparrows increased. Because of gains in habitat, increased use by birds, greater production of young, and the effective removal of woodland-associated predators, tree row removal, where appropriate based on the predator community, can be a beneficial management action for conserving grassland birds and improving fragmented and degraded grassland ecosystems.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Impacts of Tree Rows on Grassland Birds and Potential Nest Predators: A Removal Experiment

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In addition, the positive relationship between field sparrow abundance and woody shrubs is well established (e.g., Johnston & Odum 1956, Best 1977. A negative relationship with woody vegetation has been seen for several grassland bird species including bobolinks, as was seen in our study (Grant et al 2004, Graves et al 2010.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Bird-Habitat Relationships in Restored Meadows in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Murray

2014

Ecological Rest.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Understanding the relationships of bird abundance to vegetation and the surrounding landscape would help to guide meadow restoration for wildlife habitat. I examined the relationship between bird abundance and vegetation structure and the composition of the surrounding landscape in southeastern Pennsylvania in 2011 and 2012 by using regression models. The relationship between abundance and habitat characteristics varied among species. Common yellowthroats and red-winged blackbirds were more abundant in meadows with tall, dense grasses, while eastern meadowlarks were more abundant in shorter, sparser meadows. Field sparrow abundance was positively related to the amount of woody vegetation in a meadow. The habitat surrounding a survey point also explained bird abundances, with bobolinks and meadowlarks more common in meadows surrounded by grasslands and common yellowthroats more abundant in meadows surrounded by forest. Restoration of meadows in landscapes containing a high proportion of grassland habitats should target eastern meadowlarks and bobolinks by restoring shorter, sparser vegetation. Meadow restorations in forested areas should target other species such as field sparrows or common yellowthroats. Strategic planning of meadow restoration based on the surrounding landscape composition and species-specific vegetation structure requirements should be used to increase the probability of a successful habitat restoration.

show abstract

“…Sericea was rarely used as a nesting substrate and is highly invasive, creating dense vegetation unsuitable for nesting. Mowing, herbicides, fire, and grazing are options for resource managers interested in reducing vegetation height and controlling the encroachment of woody vegetation and sericea; these vegetation factors are associated with reduced nesting success of grasshopper sparrows (Graves et al , this study).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Grasshopper sparrow reproductive success and habitat use on reclaimed surface mines varies by age of reclamation

Wood

Ammer²

2015

Wildl. Soc. Bull.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We studied 3 mountaintop mining–valley fill (MTMVF) complexes in southern West Virginia, USA to examine grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum pratensis) demographic response to different age classes of mine land reclamation. For 71 nests monitored during the 2001–2002 breeding seasons, overall nest success (36%) was within the range of nest success rates previously reported for this species, but it was highest on more recently reclaimed sites (56%). Nest density and clutch size did not differ (P > 0.30) among reclamation age classes, whereas number of fledglings was greater (P = 0.01) on more recently reclaimed sites. We measured vegetation variables at 70 nest subplots and at 96 systematic subplots to compare nest vegetation with vegetation available on the plots. We found that nests occurred in areas with more bare ground near the nest, greater vegetation height–density surrounding the nest site, lower grass height, and fewer woody stems, similar to previous studies. As postreclamation age increased, vegetation height–density and maximum grass height increased, and sericea (Lespedeza cuneata) became more dominant. Nest success declined with increasing vegetation height–density at the nest. The grasslands available on these reclaimed mine complexes are of sufficient quality to support breeding populations of grasshopper sparrows, but nest success decreased on the older reclaimed areas. Without active management, grasslands on reclaimed MTMVF mines become less suitable for nesting grasshopper sparrows about 10 years after reclamation. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

show abstract

Influence of Woody Vegetation on Grassland Birds Within Reclaimed Surface Mines

Cited by 27 publications

References 35 publications

Impacts of Tree Rows on Grassland Birds and Potential Nest Predators: A Removal Experiment

Impacts of Tree Rows on Grassland Birds and Potential Nest Predators: A Removal Experiment

Bird-Habitat Relationships in Restored Meadows in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Grasshopper sparrow reproductive success and habitat use on reclaimed surface mines varies by age of reclamation

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About