Restoration of Pyric Herbivory Impacts Fuels Management and Prairie-Chicken Conservation in the Great Plains
Başlık:
Restoration of Pyric Herbivory Impacts Fuels Management and Prairie-Chicken Conservation in the Great Plains
Yazar:
Starns, Heath Deretz, author.
ISBN:
9780438073470
Yazar Ek Girişi:
Fiziksel Tanımlama:
1 electronic resource (103 pages)
Genel Not:
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 79-10(E), Section: B.
Advisors: Samuel D. Fuhlendorf Committee members: Robert D. Elmore; Bernard T. Luttbeg; Dirac Twidwell.
Özet:
Pyric herbivory is an ecological disturbance created when fire and grazing interact. Fire suppression policies in place since the early 19th century have facilitated a transition of some grasslands into shrub-dominated woodlands, changing the fuel structure and causing a recent increase in wildfire occurrence. We evaluated the effects of time since fire and pyric herbivory on fuel accumulation at four sites representing four Great Plains ecosystems. Time since fire was a significant predictor of fuel accumulation, an effect mediated by pyric herbivory. Time since fire and pyric herbivory similarly affected fire behavior and suppression capabilities. Pyric herbivory extended the effectiveness of fuels reduction past that of fire-only treatments, and is a viable fuels management strategy for the southern Great Plains.
Concomitant with the transition of grasslands into woodlands was a decline in grassland-obligate bird populations. The Tympanuchus genus is of particular interest, with three of the four extant sub(species) ranging from vulnerable to endangered. We measured vegetation characteristics relevant to habitat requirements of lesser (T. pallidicinctus), greater (T. cupido), and Attwater's (T. cupido attwateri) prairie-chickens to assess the impacts of pyric herbivory on prairie-chicken habitat. Pyric herbivory and fire-only treatments maintained grass cover and vegetation height within the range of values recommended for prairie-chickens. Pyric herbivory increased availability of forbs and bare ground, both critical for prairie-chicken brood survival. Our results indicate pyric herbivory is compatible with prairie-chicken conservation, enhancing some key habitat characteristics.
Management of habitat for the benefit of endangered species requires an understanding of the ecology of the target species. This understanding should be accompanied by periodic assessment of effectiveness of management practices. We obtained archived location data for nesting and brood-rearing Attwater's prairie-chickens for a six-year period in order to evaluate the impacts of pyric herbivory on resource selection on the Attwater's Prairie-Chicken NWR. We found that time since fire and distance to lek were primary factors in nest site selection. Selection of brood-rearing areas was determined by time since fire and distance to nest, leks, trees, and acclimation pens. Pyric herbivory should be continued as a habitat management strategy for the critically endangered Attwater's prairie-chicken.
Notlar:
School code: 0664
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Yer Numarası | Demirbaş Numarası | Shelf Location | Lokasyon / Statüsü / İade Tarihi |
---|---|---|---|
XX(678023.1) | 678023-1001 | Proquest E-Tez Koleksiyonu | Arıyor... |
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