How to translate text using browser tools
1 July 2013 Grazing and Songbird Nest Survival in Southwestern Saskatchewan
Jennifer Suzanne Lusk, Nicola Koper
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Grassland songbird populations are declining, and one reason for this might be livestock management practices in native prairies. Although cattle grazing is a common practice in native mixed-grass prairie, little research has been conducted to date to determine its impact on prairie songbird nest survival. During the summers of 2006–2007, we examined the effects of low- to moderate-intensity cattle grazing typical of the region and nest site vegetation structure on nest survival of five species of ground-nesting songbirds in native mixed-grass prairie in southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada. There was no significant effect of grazing (P > 0.10) on Sprague's pipit (Anthus spragueii), Baird's sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii), vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus), lark bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys), or chestnut-collared longspur (Calcarius ornatus) nest survival. All five species used denser vegetation than was generally available (P ≤ 0.001). Sprague's pipit nest survival was negatively correlated with vegetation density (P = 0.055) and litter depth (P = 0.033), and vesper sparrow nest survival was positively correlated with increased visibility from above (P = 0.056), but nest survival of the other species was independent of vegetation structure. Our results suggest that low- to moderate-intensity grazing is consistent with the conservation needs of ground-nesting songbirds in mixed-grass prairies of southwestern Saskatchewan.

Jennifer Suzanne Lusk and Nicola Koper "Grazing and Songbird Nest Survival in Southwestern Saskatchewan," Rangeland Ecology and Management 66(4), 401-409, (1 July 2013). https://doi.org/10.2111/REM-D-11-00203.1
Received: 31 October 2011; Accepted: 1 February 2013; Published: 1 July 2013
KEYWORDS
ground-nesting birds
livestock
mixed-grass prairie
vegetation structure
wildlife habitat
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top