Does habitat fragmentation influence nest predation in the shortgrass prairie?

The Condor
By: , and 

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Abstract

We examined the effects of habitat fragmentation and vegetation structure of shortgrass prairie and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands on predation rates of artificial and natural nests in northeastern Colorado. The CRP provides federal payments to landowners to take highly erodible cropland out of agricultural production. In our study area, CRP lands have been reseeded primarily with non-native grasses, and this vegetation is taller than native shortgrass prairie. We measured three indices of habitat fragmentation (patch size, degree of matrix fragmentation, and distance from edge), none of which influenced mortality rates of artificial or natural nests. Vegetation structure did influence predation rates of artificial nests; daily mortality decreased significantly with increasing vegetation height. Vegetation structure did not influence predation rates of natural nests. CRP lands and shortgrass sites did not differ with respect to mortality rates of artificial nests. Our study area is only moderately fragmented; 62% of the study area is occupied by native grassland. We conclude that the extent of habitat fragmentation in our study area does not result in increased predation in remaining patches of shortgrass prairie habitat.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Does habitat fragmentation influence nest predation in the shortgrass prairie?
Series title The Condor
DOI 10.1650/0010-5422(2001)103[0530:DHFINP]2.0.CO;2
Volume 103
Issue 3
Year Published 2001
Language English
Publisher American Ornithological Society
Contributing office(s) Fort Collins Science Center
Description 7 p.
First page 530
Last page 536
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