Rangeland Ecology & Management

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NORTHERN BOBWHITE HABITAT RESTORATION IN AREAS INVADED BY WARM-SEASON, NON-NATIVE PLANT SPECIES.
Author
Olsen, Benjamin R.
Fulbright, Timothy E.
Hernandez, Fidel
Grahmann, Eric D.
Wester, David B.
Smith, Forrest S.
Hehman, Michael W.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2016
Body

Restoring native vegetation on landscapes that have been invaded by non-native plant species such as buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare) and Kleberg bluestem (Dichanthium annulatum) may re-establish connectivity between isolated patches of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) habitat and increase habitat availability. Our overall objective is to determine 1) the influence of habitat restoration on bobwhite nesting ecology, home range, and density and 2) habitat-selection behavior in relation to plant communities and thermal environment. We conducted a pilot study from 2008-2012 and found that repeated cultivation followed by reseeding native plants was the best approach to restore native grasses and forbs. Based on results of these pilot studies, we initiated a large-scale, non-replicated experiment in 2013 with a 118-ha native plant restoration site and a 109-ha control. Reseeding locally adapted native plant species will occur in August 2015. A diverse mix of native plants will be seeded in configurations that optimize bobwhite habitat and fulfill bobwhite needs of thermal cover, nesting, and foraging needs. We will determine the effects of restoration on home range size and habitat selection by radio-tracking a target of 20 bobwhites in the restoration site and 20 in the control. Bobwhite densities will be estimated using whistle counts. Bobwhite nest predators will be identified by using trail cameras to monitor nests. Other previous attempts to restore native plants in areas dominated by warm-season, non-native plants have proven unsuccessful. Our study is the largest of its kind; however we cannot be certain that such a restoration will result in improved bobwhite use. Warm-season, non-native grasses are predicted to continue their expansion. Knowledge of how to combat non-native grass invasions will be imperative in ensuring the conservation of many wildlife species in the future.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Corpus Christi, TX