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Maresh Nelson SB, Ribic CA, Niemuth ND, Bernath-Plaisted J, Zuckerberg B. Sensitivity of North American grassland birds to weather and climate variability. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024; 38:e14143. [PMID: 37424364 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Grassland birds in North America have declined sharply over the last 60 years, driven by the widespread loss and degradation of grassland habitats. Climate change is occurring more rapidly in grasslands relative to some other ecosystems, and exposure to extreme and novel climate conditions may affect grassland bird ecology and demographics. To determine the potential effects of weather and climate variability on grassland birds, we conducted a systematic review of relationships between temperature and precipitation and demographic responses in grassland bird species of North America. Based on 124 independent studies, we used a vote-counting approach to quantify the frequency and direction of significant effects of weather and climate variability on grassland birds. Grassland birds tended to experience positive and negative effects of higher temperatures and altered precipitation. Moderate, sustained increases in mean temperature and precipitation benefitted some species, but extreme heat, drought, and heavy rainfall often reduced abundance and nest success. These patterns varied among climate regions, temporal scales of temperature and precipitation (<1 or ≥1 month), and taxa. The sensitivity of grassland bird populations to extreme weather and altered climate variability will likely be mediated by regional climates, interaction with other stressors, life-history strategies of various species, and species' tolerances for novel climate conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott B Maresh Nelson
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Christine A Ribic
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Neal D Niemuth
- Habitat and Population Evaluation Team, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bismarck, North Dakota, USA
| | - Jacy Bernath-Plaisted
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Benjamin Zuckerberg
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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2
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Gehrt JM, Sullins DS, Verheijen BHF, Haukos DA. Lesser Prairie-chicken incubation behavior and nest success most influenced by nest vegetation structure. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10509. [PMID: 37693934 PMCID: PMC10483095 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Incubation breaks are necessary for any nesting bird but can increase the mortality risk of the nest or attending parent. How intrinsic and extrinsic variables affect nest attentiveness-the proportion of time a female is on nest during incubation- and subsequent survival of the nest remains unclear for uniparental species. We related female nest attentiveness to nest survival and tested the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic variables on nest attentiveness by female Lesser Prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) using GPS locations of 87 females at 109 nest sites in 3 study areas in Kansas during 2013-2015. Daily nest survival increased by 39% when nest attentiveness increased from 21% to 98%. Female Lesser Prairie-chickens were 18% less attentive as body mass increased from 600 to 920 g. Daily precipitation and temperature, controlled for days into the incubation period, had interactive effects on nest attentiveness with nest attentiveness lowest on cool, wet days and increasing as temperature increased, regardless of precipitation (41% attentiveness at 16°C and 79 mm of precipitation to 90% attentiveness at 37°C and 41 mm of precipitation). Nest attentiveness increased by 11% as the quantity of grass at the nest site increased from 5% to 78% when visual obstruction was at 1 and 2 decimeters (dm) and increased 9% as the quantity of grass at the nest site increased from 5% to 83% when visual obstruction was at its maximum (3 dm). Our findings reveal the critical importance of nest attentiveness and incubation behavior, not only in relation to demography, but within the context of changing environmental conditions. As warmer temperatures and extreme precipitation events become more common and change the growth rates of vegetation, species like the Lesser Prairie-chicken that are ground-nesting, rely on vegetation cover, and exhibit uniparental care could experience negative demographic consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn M. Gehrt
- Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitKansas State UniversityManhattanKansasUSA
| | - Daniel S. Sullins
- Department of Horticulture and Natural ResourcesKansas State UniversityManhattanKansasUSA
| | - Bram H. F. Verheijen
- Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | - David A. Haukos
- U.S. Geological Survey, Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitKansas State UniversityManhattanKansasUSA
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Bell ME, Conover MR. Nest success of ground-nesting ducks in the wetlands of Great Salt Lake, Utah. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10384. [PMID: 37529591 PMCID: PMC10375547 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of ground-nesting ducks in the wetlands of Great Salt Lake, Utah has drastically decreased in the past few decades. A potential cause for this decline is the increase of predator species and their abundances, which has caused most nests to fail from depredation. Ground-nesting ducks may be able to reduce the risk of nest depredation by selecting nest sites where local physical structures or vegetation provides olfactory or visual concealment. To test this, we used logistic exposure models to look at the effect of nest-site characteristics on daily survival rates (DSRs) of nests during 2019, 2020, and 2021 in the wetlands of Great Salt Lake, Utah. We found 825 duck nests including 458 cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera), 166 mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), and 201 gadwalls (Mareca strepera). DSRs were 0.9714 ± 0.0019 in 2019, 0.9282 ± 0.0049 in 2020, and 0.8274 ± 0.0185 in 2021. Survival rates varied among years but not among duck species. Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) were responsible for 85% of depredated nests. Nests located near other duck nests had higher DSRs than more dispersed nests. Neither visual nor olfactory characteristics correlated with increased DSRs based on AICc analysis. Nests located inside a mixed nesting colony of American avocets (Recurvirostra americana), black-necked stilts (Himantopus mexicanus), and common terns (Sterna hirundo) had higher DSRs than duck nests outside the colony. Increased nesting densities of ducks and other colonial waterbirds had the greatest impact on nesting success. Increased nest density may be encouraged through early spring green-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E. Bell
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Michael R. Conover
- Department of Wildland Resources, Ecology CenterUtah State UniversityLoganUtahUSA
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Bell ME, Conover MR. Nest‐site selection by cinnamon teal and other ground‐nesting ducks in Great Salt Lake wetlands. WILDLIFE SOC B 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark E. Bell
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center Utah State University Logan UT 84322‐5230 USA
| | - Michael R. Conover
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center Utah State University Logan UT 84322‐5230 USA
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Nest density, egg conspicuity, vegetation structure and seasonality affect artificial nest predation in the Brazilian Cerrado. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/s0266467422000268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Nest predators use visual, acoustic and chemical cues to locate nests. In the Neotropics, predation is high being the main cause of nest failure. Despite that, it is still not completely clear what kind of information predators are using to find nests or whether predators respond differently according to habitat characteristics. Here, we executed an experimental manipulation to investigate how different ecological factors influence nest predation probability. We hypothesised that egg conspicuousness, nest clustering and a more open vegetation structure would increase nest predation probability, and that nest predation would be higher during the breeding season of most avian species in the region. We used artificial nests baited with plasticine and quail eggs (Coturnix coturnix), manipulated egg coloration and nest density. Artificial nests were distributed over forest and savanna-like vegetations. Overall predation rate was 40.9%. We found that nests baited with conspicuous eggs, located in open habitats, at higher densities and during the dry period were more predated. Results suggest that main predators must be visually orientated, and that egg crypsis is an important trait for open-nest species in the area. Moreover, a higher nest density may affect predator behaviour, favouring an increase in nest searching, which may be facilitated in open habitats.
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Cady SM, Davis CA, Fuhlendorf SD, Scholtz R, Uden DR, Twidwell D. Generalist bird exhibits site-dependent resource selection. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:12714-12727. [PMID: 34594533 PMCID: PMC8462173 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantifying resource selection (an organism's disproportionate use of available resources) is essential to infer habitat requirements of a species, develop management recommendations, predict species responses to changing conditions, and improve our understanding of the processes that underlie ecological patterns. Because study sites, even within the same region, can differ in both the amount and the arrangement of cover types, our objective was to determine whether proximal sites can yield markedly different resource selection results for a generalist bird, northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus). We used 5 years of telemetry locations and newly developed land cover data at two, geographically distinct but relatively close sites in the south-central semi-arid prairies of North America. We fit a series of generalized linear mixed models and used an information-theoretic model comparison approach to identify and compare resource selection patterns at each site. We determined that the importance of different cover types to northern bobwhite is site-dependent on relatively similar and nearby sites. Specifically, whether bobwhite selected for shrub cover and whether they strongly avoided trees, depended on the study site in focus. Additionally, the spatial scale of selection was nearly an order of magnitude different between the cover types. Our study demonstrates that-even for one of the most intensively studied species in the world-we may oversimplify resource selection by using a single study site approach. Managing the trade-offs between practical, generalized conclusions and precise but complex conclusions is one of the central challenges in applied ecology. However, we caution against setting recommendations for broad extents based on information gathered at small extents, even for a generalist species at adjacent sites. Before extrapolating information to areas beyond the data collected, managers should account for local differences in the availability, arrangement, and scaling of resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M. Cady
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and ManagementOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
| | - Craig A. Davis
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and ManagementOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
| | - Samuel D. Fuhlendorf
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and ManagementOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
| | - Rheinhardt Scholtz
- Department of Agronomy and HorticultureUniversity of NebraskaLincolnNEUSA
| | - Daniel R. Uden
- Department of Agronomy and HorticultureUniversity of NebraskaLincolnNEUSA
- School of Natural ResourcesUniversity of NebraskaLincolnNEUSA
| | - Dirac Twidwell
- Department of Agronomy and HorticultureUniversity of NebraskaLincolnNEUSA
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Londe DW, Elmore RD, Davis CA, Fuhlendorf SD, Hovick TJ, Luttbeg B, Rutledge J. Weather Influences Multiple Components of Greater Prairie‐Chicken Reproduction. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David W. Londe
- Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University 008c Ag Hall Stillwater OK 74078 USA
| | - R. Dwayne Elmore
- Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University 008c Ag Hall Stillwater OK 74078 USA
| | - Craig A. Davis
- Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University 008c Ag Hall Stillwater OK 74078 USA
| | - Samuel D. Fuhlendorf
- Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University 008c Ag Hall Stillwater OK 74078 USA
| | - Torre J. Hovick
- Range Science North Dakota State University 201A Morrill Hall Fargo ND 58108 USA
| | - Barney Luttbeg
- Department of Integrative Biology Oklahoma State University 501 Life Science West Stillwater OK 74078 USA
| | - Jimmy Rutledge
- El Coyote Ranch P.O. Box 392 Carrizo Springs TX 78834 USA
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Kauffman KL, Elmore RD, Davis CA, Fuhlendorf SD, Goodman LE, Hagen CA, Tanner EP. Role of the thermal environment in scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) nest site selection and survival. J Therm Biol 2020; 95:102791. [PMID: 33454032 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2020.102791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Temperature is increasingly recognized as an important component of wildlife habitat. Temperature is particularly important for avian nest sites, where extreme temperatures can influence adult behavior, embryonic development, and survival. For species inhabiting arid and semiarid climates, such as the scaled quail (Callipepla squamata), frequent exposure to extreme temperatures may increase the importance of the nest microclimate. Limited data suggest that scaled quail respond to temperature when selecting nest sites, and they are also known to respond to the presence of surface water and shrub cover on the landscape, two resources which may mitigate thermal stress. To better understand the role of temperature in nest site selection and survival, and to evaluate how other landscape resources may benefit nesting quail, we investigated nest site characteristics of scaled quail in southeastern New Mexico, USA. During the breeding seasons of 2018 and 2019 we located nests, monitored nest fate, and recorded thermal and vegetation characteristics at three spatial scales: the nest bowl, the nest microsite (area within 10 m of the nest bowl), and the landscape. We found that nest bowls moderated temperature relative to both the surrounding microsite and the broader landscape, remaining almost 5 °C cooler on average than the surrounding microsite at mid-day. Nest bowls also had taller, greater cover of vegetation compared to both the surrounding microsites and the landscape. Despite apparent selection for cooler temperatures and taller vegetation, these characteristics demonstrated a weak relationship with nest survival. Rather, nest survival was positively influenced by proximity to surface water and honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), with survival decreasing with increasing distance from these features. Although the mechanism for this relationship is unclear, our results support the importance of temperature for nest site selection of ground-nesting birds in semiarid landscapes, and suggest further exploration of landscape-level sources of thermal mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiera L Kauffman
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, 008C Agricultural Hall, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
| | - R Dwayne Elmore
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, 008C Agricultural Hall, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
| | - Craig A Davis
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, 008C Agricultural Hall, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
| | - Samuel D Fuhlendorf
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, 008C Agricultural Hall, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
| | - Laura E Goodman
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, 008C Agricultural Hall, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
| | - Christian A Hagen
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 497 SW Century Drive, Suite 105, Bend, OR, 97702, USA.
| | - Evan P Tanner
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, 700 University Blvd, MSC 218, Kingsville, TX, 78363, USA.
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Herakovich H, Jones HP. Prescribed Fire Has a Greater Impact on Artificial Nest Predation Than a Recent Bison Re-introduction in Illinois Tallgrass Prairie. AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 2020. [DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031-184.1.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Heather Herakovich
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, 1425 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb 60115
| | - Holly P. Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability and Energy Northern Illinois University, 1425 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb 60115
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10
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Lawson RR, Fogarty DT, Loss SR. Use of visual and olfactory sensory cues by an apex predator in deciduous forests. CAN J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2018-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Predator–prey interactions influence behaviors and life-history evolution for both predator and prey species and also have implications for biodiversity conservation. A fundamental goal of ecology is to clarify mechanisms underlying predator–prey interactions and dynamics. To investigate the role of predator sensory mechanisms in predator–prey interactions, specifically in predator detection of prey, we experimentally evaluated importance of visual and olfactory cues for an apex predator, the coyote (Canis latrans Say, 1823). Unlike similar studies, we examined use of sensory cues in a field setting. We used trail cameras and four replicated treatments — visual only, olfactory only, visual and olfactory combined, and a control — to quantify coyote visitation rates in North American deciduous forests during fall 2016. Coyote visitation was greatest for olfactory-only and visual-only cues, followed by the combined olfactory–visual cue; all cues attracted more coyotes than the control (i.e., olfactory = visual > olfactory–visual > control). Our results suggest this apex predator uses both olfactory and visual cues while foraging for prey. These findings from a field study of free-roaming coyotes increase understanding of predator foraging behavior, predator–prey interactions, and sensory ecology. Our study also suggests future directions for field evaluations of the role of different sensory mechanisms in predator foraging and prey concealment behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley R. Lawson
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, 008C Ag Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, 008C Ag Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Dillon T. Fogarty
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, 008C Ag Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Scott R. Loss
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, 008C Ag Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, 008C Ag Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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Fogarty DT, Elmore RD, Fuhlendorf SD, Loss SR. Variation and drivers of airflow patterns associated with olfactory concealment and habitat selection. Ecology 2018; 99:289-299. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 11/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dillon T. Fogarty
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management; Oklahoma State University; 008C Ag Hall Stillwater Oklahoma 74078 USA
| | - R. Dwayne Elmore
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management; Oklahoma State University; 008C Ag Hall Stillwater Oklahoma 74078 USA
| | - Samuel D. Fuhlendorf
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management; Oklahoma State University; 008C Ag Hall Stillwater Oklahoma 74078 USA
| | - Scott R. Loss
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management; Oklahoma State University; 008C Ag Hall Stillwater Oklahoma 74078 USA
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Smith JT, Tack JD, Doherty KE, Allred BW, Maestas JD, Berkeley LI, Dettenmaier SJ, Messmer TA, Naugle DE. Phenology largely explains taller grass at successful nests in greater sage-grouse. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:356-364. [PMID: 29321877 PMCID: PMC5756841 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Much interest lies in the identification of manageable habitat variables that affect key vital rates for species of concern. For ground‐nesting birds, vegetation surrounding the nest may play an important role in mediating nest success by providing concealment from predators. Height of grasses surrounding the nest is thought to be a driver of nest survival in greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage‐grouse), a species that has experienced widespread population declines throughout their range. However, a growing body of the literature has found that widely used field methods can produce misleading inference on the relationship between grass height and nest success. Specifically, it has been demonstrated that measuring concealment following nest fate (failure or hatch) introduces a temporal bias whereby successful nests are measured later in the season, on average, than failed nests. This sampling bias can produce inference suggesting a positive effect of grass height on nest survival, though the relationship arises due to the confounding effect of plant phenology, not an effect on predation risk. To test the generality of this finding for sage‐grouse, we reanalyzed existing datasets comprising >800 sage‐grouse nests from three independent studies across the range where there was a positive relationship found between grass height and nest survival, including two using methods now known to be biased. Correcting for phenology produced equivocal relationships between grass height and sage‐grouse nest survival. Viewed in total, evidence for a ubiquitous biological effect of grass height on sage‐grouse nest success across time and space is lacking. In light of these findings, a reevaluation of land management guidelines emphasizing specific grass height targets to promote nest success may be merited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph T Smith
- Wildlife Biology Program University of Montana Missoula MT USA
| | - Jason D Tack
- US Fish & Wildlife Service, Habitat and Population Evaluation Team Missoula MT USA
| | | | - Brady W Allred
- W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation University of Montana Missoula MT USA
| | - Jeremy D Maestas
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service West National Technology Support Center Portland OR USA
| | | | - Seth J Dettenmaier
- Department of Wildland Resources Jack H. Berryman Institute Utah State University Logan UT USA
| | - Terry A Messmer
- Department of Wildland Resources Jack H. Berryman Institute Utah State University Logan UT USA
| | - David E Naugle
- Wildlife Biology Program University of Montana Missoula MT USA
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Fogarty DT, Elmore RD, Fuhlendorf SD, Loss SR. Influence of olfactory and visual cover on nest site selection and nest success for grassland-nesting birds. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:6247-6258. [PMID: 28861229 PMCID: PMC5574794 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Habitat selection by animals is influenced by and mitigates the effects of predation and environmental extremes. For birds, nest site selection is crucial to offspring production because nests are exposed to extreme weather and predation pressure. Predators that forage using olfaction often dominate nest predator communities; therefore, factors that influence olfactory detection (e.g., airflow and weather variables, including turbulence and moisture) should influence nest site selection and survival. However, few studies have assessed the importance of olfactory cover for habitat selection and survival. We assessed whether ground-nesting birds select nest sites based on visual and/or olfactory cover. Additionally, we assessed the importance of visual cover and airflow and weather variables associated with olfactory cover in influencing nest survival. In managed grasslands in Oklahoma, USA, we monitored nests of Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna), and Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) during 2015 and 2016. To assess nest site selection, we compared cover variables between nests and random points. To assess factors influencing nest survival, we used visual cover and olfactory-related measurements (i.e., airflow and weather variables) to model daily nest survival. For nest site selection, nest sites had greater overhead visual cover than random points, but no other significant differences were found. Weather variables hypothesized to influence olfactory detection, specifically precipitation and relative humidity, were the best predictors of and were positively related to daily nest survival. Selection for overhead cover likely contributed to mitigation of thermal extremes and possibly reduced detectability of nests. For daily nest survival, we hypothesize that major nest predators focused on prey other than the monitored species' nests during high moisture conditions, thus increasing nest survival on these days. Our study highlights how mechanistic approaches to studying cover informs which dimensions are perceived and selected by animals and which dimensions confer fitness-related benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dillon T Fogarty
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University Stillwater OK USA.,Present address: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln NE USA
| | - R Dwayne Elmore
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University Stillwater OK USA
| | - Samuel D Fuhlendorf
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University Stillwater OK USA
| | - Scott R Loss
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University Stillwater OK USA
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