Chapman et al. looked at the difference between native mixed grass prairies and seeded grasslands bird community structure in northwestern Oklahoma. The authors attempted to determine if species composition, plant community structure, or disturbance were driving factors in terms of number of birds and of bird species composition found in the study area. The level of disturbance was the major factor that determined suitable habitat for the birds. Species composition differed little between ungrazed seeded pastures and native mixed grass prairies. Heavily grazed pastures were the least abundant plots while moderately grazed pastures held the most species diversity. Chapman et al. recommended that seeded pastures that receive a moderate amount of grazing, producing forage patchiness, will have the ability to host more species than a seeded/ungrazed pasture.
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