Fontaine et al. looked at the effect that distance from water developments has on the habitat selection of grassland birds residing on the Little Missouri National Grassland in North Dakota. Lark buntings and horned larks showed a negative relationship with distance from water. The authors proposed these species are associated with low vegetative cover in the mixed grass prairie (i.e. heavier grazing found closer to water developments) due to cattle concentrations. The other low vegetative cover species was the chestnut-collared longspur and it showed no association with distance from water.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.