Study

Effects of patch-burn management on dickcissel nest success in a tallgrass prairie

  • Published source details Churchwell R.T., Davis C.A., Fuhlendor S.D. & Engle D.M. (2008) Effects of patch-burn management on dickcissel nest success in a tallgrass prairie. Journal of Wildlife Management, 72, 1596-1604.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Employ grazing in natural grasslands

Action Link
Bird Conservation

Use prescribed burning on grasslands

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. Employ grazing in natural grasslands

    A study in Oklahoma, USA, in 2003-2004 (Churchwell et al. 2008), found that dickcissel reproductive success was lower in grazed and burned pastures compared to on tallgrass prairie managed by patch-burns. This study is discussed in detail in ‘Use prescribed burning’.

     

  2. Use prescribed burning on grasslands

    A study in Oklahoma, USA, in 2003-2004 (Churchwell et al. 2008), found that dickcissel reproductive success was lower in traditionally-managed pastures (annual burning followed by early-intensive grazing) compared to patch-burn management of tallgrass prairie. Dickcissels (296 nests monitored) tended to start nesting later, but nest densities were higher, in traditionally managed pasture. The average number of eggs per clutch and fledglings produced were similar between treatments. Predation was the main cause of nest failure and was higher in the traditionally managed pastures, as was parasitism by brown-headed cowbird Molothrus ater.

     

Output references
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