Data Set Summary
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Dataset ID: | nest_survey_plover |
| Dataset Title: | SGS-LTER Grazing Strategies for Mountain Plover: Densities of bird nests on the Central Plains Experimental Range, Nunn, Colorado, USA 2004 - 2007 |
| Abstract: | We aim to test the limits of the SGS to grazing by altering both the seasonality and intensity of grazing. Grazing intensities outside the traditional boundaries of grazing intensity and seasonality can interact with physiography to induce changes in vegetation states. To test this hypothesis we will assess vegetation composition, ANPP, diversity and structure in an experiment that began in 2003 (Grazing Seasonality and Intensity). Since livestock can modify vegetation composition and structure to alter habitat and resources for other organisms (Derner et al. 2009), manipulations of the seasonality and intensity of grazing therefore may be used as a tool to create habitat for species of conservation concern. Two treatments involve manipulations of livestock grazing in spring and summer at very high (80%) grazing intensities. |
| Methods: | There are 3 randomly located macroplots (circular with 30 m diameter) where we supply supplemental feed to cattle and create intensely grazed areas and heteorogeneity within the larger pasture. Nests are surveyed in a total of 25 sites. 20 are located in pastures on the CPER and 5 in experimental exclosures . Sampling Protocol: FREQUENCY: Every other week in April-May-June-July (or until eggs and fledglings are no longer present in nests) NUMBER OF TRANSECTS: Four random 30 x 400 m transects per pasture. For exclosures survey the entire area. 1. Randomly locate a starting point for the first transect at some point within the pasture where observers will walk 400 m in a randomly chosen direction, within the correct grazing treatment. 2. Write the type of vegetation cover type that the transect covers. GR grassland YU yucca AC saltbush MX mixed grassland/shrubland (AC or YU) 3. Stretch 30-m rope between two observers and hitch it onto harnesses. 4. From your random starting point, pace off 400 m with a GPS in a random direction. To stay on line, choose an object in the distance or on the horizon that is on the correct bearing. 5. Observers should walk a brisk and steady pace in the random direction gently bouncing the rope between the ground and their waist. Be careful to lift the rope over shrubs to avoid tangling. Page 2 of 2 6. Closely monitor the area under the rope for flushing birds. If a bird flushes, identify it, determine the location it flushed from and record all necessary data. 7. Look for nests or fledglings. Record the following for each nest: bearing number of birds seen around the nest species of bird (from adult that was flushed) – use standard codes (e.g., HOLA = Horned Lark) type of nest (ground or shrub; scrape, grass or stick nest) number of eggs color/description of eggs number of nestlings or fledglings vegetation at nest: grass clump (record spp.), shrub clump (record spp.), cattle pat, bare ground, prickly-pear If you flush a single nestling outside of a nest, just record the species and note in Comments. Minimize disturbance to nests and work as quickly as possible to reduce mortality to young. 8. Continue along transect for 400 m, recording all flushes, nests and fledglings detected. 9. When the end of the first transect is reached, rotate 90º and begin the second 400 m transect from there. Note, upon finishing each plot, observers should have two “L”-like designs of four 400 m transects. Keep in mind the restriction that the four transects, when they are all laid out, should/will remain in the treatment pasture and that they do not overlap . |
| Principal Investigator: | Paul Stapp |
| Long Term Contact: | Paul Stapp: pstapp@fullerton.edu |
| Public Access Status: | open |
| Begin Date: | 5/21/2004 |
| End Date: | 7/27/2007 |
| Sample Frequency: | |
| Long Term Experiment?: | Yes |
| Keywords: | populations, plant/animal interactions, animals, birds, density, disturbance |
| Geographic Location: | Bounded by (40.857500N,-104.785833W) and (40.800278S,-104.730556E). Altitude Range: 1645.0 to 1675.1 Meters above sea level |
| Related Datasets: |
SGS-LTER Grazing Strategies for Mountain Plover: Vegetation Cover by Daubenmire Classes on the Central Plains Experimental Range, Nunn, Colorado, USA 2004 - 2007 |
| Related Publications: |
Derner, J., D. Augustine and W. Lauenroth.. 2009. Conservation Grazing Management. Cow Country, Winter 2009. 139: 1011 |
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