Rangeland Ecology & Management

Get reliable science

Density and reproductive success of Florida grasshopper sparrows following fire
Author
Delany, M. F.
Linda, S. B.
Pranty, B.
Perkins, D. W.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2002-07-01
Body

Information on the response of the endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus Mearns) to range management, especially prescribed fire, is needed to determine conservation strategies. Intensive management of grasslands for cattle grazing and conversion of grassland to other agricultural use is considered the greatest threat to the sparrow. Territory spot-mapping and estimates of reproductive success were examined in relation to time post-burn in managed cattle pastures at Avon Park Air Force Range, Highlands County, Florida from 1997-1999. We tested the hypothesis that sparrow density and reproductive success did not depend on time following fire. Contrary to previous work, there was no evidence that Florida grasshopper sparrow territory density depended on years post-burn (P = 0.842). The probability of reproductive success was significantly higher 0.5 year post-burn than at 1.5 years post-burn (P < 0.05) and 2.5 years post-burn (P < 0.01). No other significant differences were observed among years post-burn (P > 0.27 for each pairwise comparison between years). No simple trend or highly significant polynomial relationship between reproductive success and territory density was indicated (P > 0.41). Compared to other subspecies, Florida grasshopper sparrows exhibited relatively low density (0.22 territories/ha or less) and reproductive success (20%). Our results suggest increased reproductive success at a population level 0.5 year following fire, and did not suggest an association between territory density and individual reproductive success. Additional information is needed on the effects of seasonality of fire on Florida grasshopper sparrows. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020

Language
en
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.2307/4003469
Additional Information
Delany, M. F., Linda, S. B., Pranty, B., & Perkins, D. W. (2002). Density and reproductive success of Florida Grasshopper Sparrows following fire. Journal of Range Management, 55(4), 336-340.
IISN
0022-409X
OAI Identifier
oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/643667
Journal Volume
55
Journal Number
4
Journal Pages
336-340
Journal Name
Journal of Range Management
Keywords
ammodramus savannarum
territory
endangered species
wild birds
population density
fire ecology
reproductive performance
Florida
prescribed burning
seasonal variation
rangelands
Ammodramus savannarum floridanus
Florida prairie
prescribed fire