I compared nest success estimates for both shorebirds and Sharp-tailed Grouse between controls and 36 square-mile blocks that were trapped for intermediate mammalian predators. I also investigated shorebird nest site selection by comparing vegetation visual obstruction and species composition between nest sites and the surrounding field. Nest success (Mayfield estimate ± SE) was not different between trapped and control blocks for shorebirds (trap: 50.8% ± 6.3%; control: 69.1% ± 17.5%) or Sharp-tailed Grouse (trap: 61.3% ± 8.3%; control: 48.7% ± 10.0%). This indicates that trapping intermediate mammalian predators is not an efficient method of increasing shorebird or Sharp-tailed Grouse nest success. Regardless of the surrounding habitat type, shorebird nest sites were located in characteristic vegetation depending on species. Common Snipe preferred nest sites to be covered by native vegetation that obstructed vision below 21cm. Wilsons Phalarope also preferred native vegetation, however they nested in vegetation obstructing vision less than 16cm. Upland Sandpipers showed little preference for vegetation species composition, although nest sites were typically found in vegetation obstructing vision less than 21cm. These results indicate that useful shorebird habitat includes relatively sparse, native vegetation.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LSU/oai:etd.lsu.edu:etd-04122007-125608 |
| Date | 13 April 2007 |
| Creators | Wiens, Darren Kirk |
| Contributors | Chamberlain, Michael J., Geaghan, James P., Rohwer, Frank C. |
| Publisher | LSU |
| Source Sets | Louisiana State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-04122007-125608/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached herein a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to LSU or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below and in appropriate University policies, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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