Relationships between grazing and waterfowl production in the Canadian prairies / Pauline M. Bloom, David W. Howerter, Robert B. Emery, and Llwellyn M. Armstrong.

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Bloom, Pauline M

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Material type: Text

TextSeries: Journal of Wildlife Management. 77(3) 534-544 Publication details: 2013Description: illustrations ; 28 cmLOC classification:

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Summary: The survival of waterfowl nests is positively correlated with the amount of grassland on the landscape, and population growth rates of some waterfowl species (e.g., mallards [Anas platyrhynchos]) are sensitive to nest survival rates. Thus, the effect of actions that alter grassland vegetation physiognomy, such as grazing, on waterfowl production is of interest to waterfowl habitat managers. Additionally, grasslands contribute other ecological goods (e.g., forage for livestock and wildlife) and services (e.g., photosynthesis, carbon sequestration), which can be influenced by grazing practices. We address key uncertainties about the linkages between grazing, vegetation physiognomy, and the survival and density of duck nests at study-site, field, and nest-site spatial scales. Using data from 2,554 duck nests found in 434 grazed or idled fields (median field size ¼ 48.0 ha) in the Canadian Prairie Pothole Region between 2002 and 2009, we found that vegetation physiognomy affected nest survival at both the field and nest-site scales, such that nest survival increased with nest-site vegetation density and late-season field vegetation density. Nest survival also responded to early-season within-field variation in vegetation height in a quadratic manner, such that survival was greatest in fields with moderate variation in vegetation height. Nest survival was negatively related to the intensity of grazing and to the amount of cropland in the surrounding landscape. Both the abundance of wetlands and the average vegetation height in the field had a positive influence on nest density. Fields idled during the breeding season had greater densities of nests than fields grazed either early or late in the breeding season. Leaving lands idled may be the most effective way to increase both waterfowl nest survival and nest density. When management of upland vegetation is required, we recommend grazing at moderate stocking rates (between 2 and 2.5 animal unit months [AUM]/ha) after the waterfowl breeding season is complete and monitoring vegetative characteristics to ensure they remain suitable to attract nesting waterfowl (e.g., leaving vegetation height >28 cm). Where grazing must be carried out during the breeding season, low to moderate stocking rates should be encouraged as these rates appear to have the least negative impact on both waterfowl nest survival and nest density. These stocking rates also will maintain rangeland in good condition to the long-term benefit of producers.

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Electronic Journal	IWWR Supported Research	Non-fiction	BLO (Browse shelf(Opens below))	Available		16710

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Previous	BID Random placement models predict species-area relationships in duck communities despite species aggregation /	BLO Mallard duckling survival and habitat selection in the Canadian prairie pothole region /	BLO Multi-scale habitat selection affects offspring survival in a precocial species /	BLO Relationships between grazing and waterfowl production in the Canadian prairies /	BLO Landscape-level correlates of mallard duckling survival : implications for conservation programs /	BLO Radiomarking brood-rearing mallard females : implications for juvenile survival /	BOR Spatial and temporal patterns in the hydrology, water chemistry and algal nutrient status of a coastal freshwater marsh, Delta Marsh, as influenced by the hydrology of adjoining Lake Manitoba, located in south-central Manitoba, Canada /	Next

Includes bibliographical references (pages 543-544).

The survival of waterfowl nests is positively correlated with the amount of grassland on the
landscape, and population growth rates of some waterfowl species (e.g., mallards [Anas platyrhynchos]) are
sensitive to nest survival rates. Thus, the effect of actions that alter grassland vegetation physiognomy, such as
grazing, on waterfowl production is of interest to waterfowl habitat managers. Additionally, grasslands
contribute other ecological goods (e.g., forage for livestock and wildlife) and services (e.g., photosynthesis,
carbon sequestration), which can be influenced by grazing practices. We address key uncertainties about the
linkages between grazing, vegetation physiognomy, and the survival and density of duck nests at study-site,
field, and nest-site spatial scales. Using data from 2,554 duck nests found in 434 grazed or idled fields (median
field size ¼ 48.0 ha) in the Canadian Prairie Pothole Region between 2002 and 2009, we found that
vegetation physiognomy affected nest survival at both the field and nest-site scales, such that nest survival
increased with nest-site vegetation density and late-season field vegetation density. Nest survival also
responded to early-season within-field variation in vegetation height in a quadratic manner, such that
survival was greatest in fields with moderate variation in vegetation height. Nest survival was negatively
related to the intensity of grazing and to the amount of cropland in the surrounding landscape. Both the
abundance of wetlands and the average vegetation height in the field had a positive influence on nest density.
Fields idled during the breeding season had greater densities of nests than fields grazed either early or late in
the breeding season. Leaving lands idled may be the most effective way to increase both waterfowl nest
survival and nest density. When management of upland vegetation is required, we recommend grazing at
moderate stocking rates (between 2 and 2.5 animal unit months [AUM]/ha) after the waterfowl breeding
season is complete and monitoring vegetative characteristics to ensure they remain suitable to attract nesting
waterfowl (e.g., leaving vegetation height >28 cm). Where grazing must be carried out during the breeding
season, low to moderate stocking rates should be encouraged as these rates appear to have the least negative
impact on both waterfowl nest survival and nest density. These stocking rates also will maintain rangeland in
good condition to the long-term benefit of producers.

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