Use of Cornfields by Birds during the Breeding Season: The Importance of Edge Habitat

Best, Louis B.; Whitmore, Robert C.; Booth, Gary M.

doi:10.2307/2425762

Cited by 104 publications

(87 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Cornfield perimeters « 50 m from edge) had six to seven more bird species and five times as many individual birds than did field centers [Best et al, 1990]. Although species composition of birds in adjacent cornfields was influenced by type of edge (woody versus herbaceous), edge type did not significantly affect the overall numbers and species richness of birds in the cornfields.…”

Section: Vertebrate Natural Enemies In Agriculturementioning

confidence: 87%

“…At least 57 species of birds have been recorded using shelterbelts during the breeding season and, of these, 28 are known to nest in them. In Iowa and Illinois, woody edge habitat contained about seven times as many birds and twice as many breeding bird species (50 species) as herbaceous edge habitats [Best et al, 1990].…”

Section: Controlling Pests With Endemic Natural Enemiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influences of trees on abundance of natural enemies of insect pests: a review

et al. 1995

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Abstract. In this article we review the use of natural enemies in crop pest management and describe research needed to better meet information needs for practical applications. Endemic natural enemies (predators and parasites) offer a potential but understudied approach to controlling insect pests in agricultural systems. With the current high interest in environmental stewardship, such an approach has special appeal as a method to reduce the need for pesticides while maintaining agricultural profitability. Habitat for sustaining populations of natural enemies occurs primarily at field edges where crops and edge vegetation meet. Conservation and enhancement of natural enemies might include manipulation of plant species and plant arrangement, particularly at these edges; and consideration of optimum field sizes, number of edges, and management practices in and ncar edges. Blending the benefits of agricultural and forestry (windbreak) systems is one promising approach to field edge management that has additional benefits of wind protection and conservation of desirable wildlife species.

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Section: Vertebrate Natural Enemies In Agriculturementioning

confidence: 87%

Section: Controlling Pests With Endemic Natural Enemiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influences of trees on abundance of natural enemies of insect pests: a review

et al. 1995

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“…Corn is often considered attractive to many bird species hazardous to aircraft, especially when waste grain is available (Best et al, 1990;Best, 2001;Krapu et al, 2004). But, greater cumulative hazard scores were more frequent in growing fields despite crop type (crops > 25 cm height), field conditions that often have less available waste grain than standing stubble (Krapu et al, 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Corn and wheat are known attractants and can be used extensively by wildlife (Best et al, 1990;Krapu et al, 1995;Cerkal et al, 2009), but limited information is available comparing their use to soybeans (Blackwell and Dolbeer, 2001;Krapu et al, 2004Krapu et al, , 2005Galle et al, 2009). The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends against the use of airport property for agricultural production (FAA Advisory Circular 150/5200-33B) and recognizes that most, if not all, crops can attract hazardous wildlife during some phase of production (FAA, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bird use of grain fields and implications for habitat management at airports

Iglay

Buckingham

Seamans

et al. 2017

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

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A B S T R A C TAirport properties often include agricultural land cover that can attract wildlife species hazardous to aircraft, despite recommendations against row crops near air operations areas. However, few studies have directly quantified bird use of corn, wheat, and soybean fields relative to bird-aircraft collision (strike) hazard levels to support land cover recommendations. Therefore, we compared bird use among corn, wheat and soybean fields and predicted that corn and wheat would attract bird species recognized as hazardous to aviation. We also anticipated that soybeans would pose minimal attraction to such birds. Here, hazard ranking (low to extremely high) reflects the percentage of strikes involving a species that resulted in damage to aircraft. We investigated bird use among 22 corn, wheat, and soybean fields near Oak Harbor, OH, using approximately weekly point transects from 2013 to 2014. We used generalized distance sampling models and analysis of variance using distance matrices to determine bird abundance and community responses to row crop land coverages and crop height. We observed 4331 birds of 40 species, with most birds observed in wheat fields (n = 2555 birds) and standing stubble (n = 2409 birds). Large flocks occurred more in corn and wheat fields than soybean fields, but soybean fields harbored greater cumulative hazard scores than corn, likely due to consistent detections of small, non-flocking birds in soybean fields. Crop type and height had greater influence on medium-and high-hazard level bird species than other hazard levels. Density of medium-and high-hazard level birds increased with increasing crop height in soybean and wheat fields with wheat fields having slightly greater densities than soybeans. Corn fields also had the greatest bird densities in the tallest crop height categories. Categories of very and extremely high-hazard level bird species were rarely detected, but their abundance peaked in crops 0-15 cm, similar to low-hazard level bird species. However, model selection results included null models for very and extremely high-hazard level bird species suggesting minimal effects. Overall, our results suggest that all three crop types can harbor birds hazardous to aircraft, and crop height can enhance bird use. Although not directly tested in our study, land management surrounding airports may benefit most from alternative land covers (e.g., biofuel crops), but additional research is necessary.

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“…Since the early 1950s, intensive farming practices have radically transformed the agricultural landscape of North America, which resulted in many negative effects on ground-nesting grassland birds (Sugden and Beyersbergen 1984;Best et al 1990;Askins 1993). Cattle grazing, for example, has greatly expanded in most regions, and improvements in forage crops and range management have allowed farmers to increase stocking rates (Barker et al 1990).…”

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confidence: 99%

Effects of Plant Cover Improvements for Nesting Ducks on Grassland Songbirds

et al. 2003

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Filion. 2003. Effects of plant cover improvements for nesting ducks on grassland songbirds. Canadian Field-Naturalist 117(2): 167-172.Several islands located along the St. Lawrence River in southern Quebec have been used as natural pastureland by cattle for decades. Recently, a rest-rotation grazing system and dense nesting cover were established on four islands near Varennes to improve duck nesting conditions. The effects of these two plant cover improvements on the abundance of grassland songbirds were assessed through four treatments: (1) idle fields with no vegetation improvement but exclusion of cattle (IDLE), (2) improved pastures with seeding of forage plants for cattle (IMPP), (3) dense seeded nesting cover fields improved for ducks and where cattle were excluded (DNC), and (4) natural or unimproved pastures grazed by cattle after the duck nesting season (UIPP). The overall abundance of birds was similar among treatments before cover improvements as well as two years after. The abundance of Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) was significantly greater in DNC and UIPP two years after treatments while Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were more abundant in DNC and IDLE. Plant cover improvements had little impact on Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) abundance. Furthermore, few annual or treatment-related changes were observed for less abundant species. On the short-term, duck nesting cover improvements in natural pastures did not have any major effect on grassland songbirds on Varennes islands.

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Use of Cornfields by Birds during the Breeding Season: The Importance of Edge Habitat

Cited by 104 publications

References 9 publications

Influences of trees on abundance of natural enemies of insect pests: a review

Influences of trees on abundance of natural enemies of insect pests: a review

Bird use of grain fields and implications for habitat management at airports

Effects of Plant Cover Improvements for Nesting Ducks on Grassland Songbirds

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