The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Mountain Plover (&lt;i&gt;Charadrius montanus&lt;/i&gt;)

Shaffer, Jill A.; Igl, Lawrence D.; Johnson, Douglas H.; Sondreal, Marriah L.; Goldade, Christopher M.; Nenneman, Melvin P.; Wooten, Travis L.; Euliss, Betty R.

doi:10.3133/pp1842e

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Bobolinks were also best predicted by these 2 species. Thus the bobolink appears to be more tolerant of a range of grassland types than the grasshopper sparrow in the tallgrass prairies, an observation that is supported elsewhere in the literature (Renfrew et al ; Shaffer et al , c ). This observation is also consistent with the observation that bobolinks were the most widely encountered species, occurring on 93% of our transects.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

“…As expected, the density of sedge wrens was negatively related to that of the upland‐specialist grasshopper sparrows. The sedge wren is frequently associated with wet prairie (Shaffer et al ), idle planted grasslands (Igl and Johnson ), or woody vegetation (Sample ), so this inverse relationship makes sense considering the habitat preferences of dry upland prairie specialists that are less tolerant of woody vegetation (Grant et al , Thompson et al , Elliott and Johnson ). Sedge wren density showed an especially strong relationship with that of the Henslow's sparrow.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sedge wren density showed an especially strong relationship with that of the Henslow's sparrow. Because Henslow's sparrows use wet meadows (Herkert ) they may overlap with the wet prairie‐associated sedge wren (Shaffer et al ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We expected that species that use upland prairie during the breeding season but that are more tolerant of mesic prairie (i.e., Savannah sparrow, Henslow's sparrow, bobolink) would be less strongly associated with grasshopper sparrows but would likely still exhibit a positive relationship with grasshopper sparrow density and occurrence, based on their overlap in uplands. Finally, we expected that the density of species such as the sedge wren ( Cistothorus platensis ), which uses wet meadow preferentially (Shaffer et al ), would be inversely related to the density and occurrence of the grasshopper sparrow.…”

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The grasshopper sparrow as an indicator species in tallgrass prairies

Elliott

Johnson

2018

J Wildl Manag

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Funding constraints highlight the need for efficient approaches to manage wildlife habitat. One such approach is to monitor a single species that serves as an indicator of management effectiveness. The grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) is an obligate species of dry, upland prairie that has been proposed as a surrogate species for the Eastern Tallgrass Prairie, USA. To evaluate whether this species (or another) would make a suitable indicator for grassland birds, we examined the strength of associations in the density and occurrence of grasshopper sparrows and densities of other grassland species: sedge wren (Cistothorus platensis), Savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), Henslow's sparrow (A. henslowii), dickcissel (Spiza americana), bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), and western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta). No single species was a good predictor for all other species, but grasshopper sparrow density was the best predictor of the densities of other obligate upland prairie species. We also compared avian community composition between grassland sites with and without grasshopper sparrows; densities of all species except sedge wren were significantly higher at sites with grasshopper sparrows. Therefore, the grasshopper sparrow is the best choice as a single indicator species for tallgrass prairies within our study area. However, a better approach would be to select multiple, complementary indicator species to ensure that species not well‐indicated by grasshopper sparrows are adequately represented. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The grasshopper sparrow as an indicator species in tallgrass prairies

Elliott

Johnson

2018

J Wildl Manag

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Waterfowl and Wetland Birds

Vest,

Haukos,

Niemuth

et al. 2023

Rangeland Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

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The future of wetland bird habitat and populations is intrinsically connected with the conservation of rangelands in North America. Many rangeland watersheds are source drainage for some of the highest functioning extant wetlands. The Central and Pacific Flyways have significant overlap with available rangelands in western North America. Within these flyways, the importance of rangeland management has become increasingly recognized by those involved in wetland bird conservation. Within the array of wetland bird species, seasonal habitat needs are highly variable. During the breeding period, nest survival is one of the most important drivers of population growth for many wetland bird species and rangelands often provide quality nesting cover. Throughout spring and fall, rangeland wetlands provide key forage resources that support energetic demands needed for migration. In some areas, stock ponds developed for livestock water provide migration stopover and wintering habitat, especially in times of water scarcity. In the Intermountain West, drought combined with water demands from agriculture and human population growth are likely headed to an ecological tipping point for wetland birds and their habitat in the region. In the Prairie Pothole Region, conversion of rangeland and draining of wetlands for increased crop production remains a significant conservation issue for wetland birds and other wildlife. In landscapes dominated by agricultural production, rangelands provide some of the highest value ecosystem services, including water quality and wetland function. Recent research has shown livestock grazing, if managed properly, is compatible and at times beneficial to wetland bird habitat needs. Either directly, or indirectly, wetland bird populations and their habitat needs are supported by healthy rangelands. In the future, rangeland and wetland bird managers will benefit from increased collaboration to aid in meeting ultimate conservation objectives.

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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—Mountain Plover (<i>Charadrius montanus</i>)

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Cited by 3 publications

References 16 publications

The grasshopper sparrow as an indicator species in tallgrass prairies

The grasshopper sparrow as an indicator species in tallgrass prairies

Waterfowl and Wetland Birds

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

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