Variation in passerine use of burned and hayed planted grasslands / Stephen K. Davis, James H. Devries, and Llwellyn M. Armstrong.
Material type:
TextSeries: Journal of Wildlife Management. 81(8): 1494-1504 Publication details: 2017Description: illustrations ; 28 cmLOC classification: - DAV
| Item type | Current library | Collection | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Electronic Journal
|
IWWR Supported Research | Non-fiction | DAV (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | Available | 16947 |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 1503-1504).
Creation of grassland communities is a popular approach to conserve grassland-nesting
waterfowl and songbirds. Much uncertainty remains regarding the most appropriate seed mixtures and the
type and frequency of management. We conducted line-transect songbird surveys in grasslands converted
from cropland to native and tame grass-forb mixtures and managed by burning (native only) or haying (native
and tame) in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada. Fields were 1–9 years post-management (YPM). Our
objective was to improve our understanding of the effects ofmanagement regime (native hayed, native burned
and tame hayed fields) and frequency (YPM) on passerine density and occurrence in planted grassland. We
found limited support for an effect of management regime on passerine density and occurrence in both
provinces. Vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) occurrence in Saskatchewan was greatest in tame hayed fields,
and clay-colored sparrow (Spizella pallida) density in Manitoba was greater in tame hayed fields than in native
burned fields up to 5 YPM. Years post-management most strongly influenced the occurrence of vesper
sparrows in Saskatchewan and sedge wrens (Cistothorus platensis); common yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas);
clay-colored, Savannah (Passerculus sandwichensis), Le Conte’s (Ammodramus leconteii), and Nelson’s
(A. nelsoni) sparrows; and bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) in Manitoba. Five of the 8 species influenced by
YPM exhibited a year-dependent non-linear response such that they reached their greatest density 4–5 YPM.
Our results indicate that the type of stand (native or tame) or management (burning or haying) matters little
to the grassland songbird community occupying planted cover fields and that the frequency of management
will likely depend upon local environmental conditions in a given region or year. Some form of management
of planted grasslands, however, should occur every 4–6 years to maintain habitat for a number of generalist
grassland species.