The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus)

Shaffer, Jill A.; Igl, Lawrence D.; Johnson, Douglas H.; Sondreal, Marriah L.; Goldade, Christopher M.; Parkin, Barry D.; Euliss, Betty R.

doi:10.3133/pp1842dd

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 35 publications

(89 reference statements)

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“…The density of this sparrow was negatively related to growing season stocking rate. Bare ground is important for foraging habitat, and biologists recommended moderate grazing for lark sparrows [53]. Although lark sparrows tend to select grazed areas [56], our data suggest that high levels of grazing could reduce lark sparrow densities.…”

Section: Critical Vegetationmentioning

confidence: 71%

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The Influence of Grazing Systems on Bird Species Richness and Density in the Nebraska Sandhills

Kempema,

Schacht,

Powell

2023

Diversity

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Grazing is the de facto method of habitat management used in much of the Nebraska Sandhills. Ranchers use a variety of grazing systems, and our goal was to evaluate the effects of systems on grassland birds. We estimated the species richness and density of grassland birds for three grazing systems used on private ranches: long, medium, and short duration grazing systems. We observed sixty species, and the grazing system with pastures utilizing long duration grazing periods had the highest estimates of species richness as well as the most heterogeneous habitat structure. Differences in species richness among systems were most pronounced in years of limited precipitation. Together, grasshopper sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum), western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta), and brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) accounted for 72% of our observations. We used a model comparison approach to determine the effects of habitat on the densities of six species. Densities of grasshopper sparrows and mourning doves showed effects of the grazing system. More species had higher densities in short duration, rotational systems than other grazing systems. However, species of grassland birds showed responses to a variety of cover types and habitat structures depending on life history needs. Regardless of the grazing system used, managers can use grazing and other tools such as prescribed burning to maintain habitat heterogeneity to support diverse bird communities.

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Section: Critical Vegetationmentioning

confidence: 71%

“…Suitable habitat for upland sandpipers [50] and grasshopper sparrows [51] usually contains low amounts of woody cover. Lark sparrows use the base of shrubs as a nesting substrate [52,53].…”

Section: Critical Vegetationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of Grazing Systems on Bird Species Richness and Density in the Nebraska Sandhills

Kempema,

Schacht,

Powell

2023

Diversity

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U.S. Geological Survey—Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center 2021–23 research activity report

2024

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The ACBK is seeking ways to learn about the effects of renewableenergy developments on biodiversity and desires to spread that knowledge to other interested agencies and industries within Kazakhstan. Jill Shaffer and Todd Katzner (USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystems Science Center), another Fellow, visited Kazakhstan from September 17 to October 1, 2023. They met with U.S. Embassy officials in the divisions of Economics and in Environment, Science, Technology, and Health and with ACBK biologists. They also gave two presentations that described an eight-part virtual lecture series they developed to help Central Asians understand the effects of wind energy on biodiversity. The lecture series was presented monthly through March 2024. The recorded lectures, the pre-lecture readings, and post-lecture source material can be accessed from the ACBK website at https://www.acbk.kz/ article/ default/ view/ 635. While in Kazakhstan, Jill and Todd also presented on the effects of wind-energy on golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) at the "Eagles of the Palearctic Conference" in Almaty. They participated in bird-banding activities using Heligoland traps at Chokpak Ornithological Station in the village of Chokpak.

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The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus)

Cited by 2 publications

References 35 publications

The Influence of Grazing Systems on Bird Species Richness and Density in the Nebraska Sandhills

The Influence of Grazing Systems on Bird Species Richness and Density in the Nebraska Sandhills

U.S. Geological Survey—Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center 2021–23 research activity report

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