AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Marbled Godwit Habitat Selection in the Northern Prairie Region

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1984
Authors:Ryan, MR, Renken, RB, Dinsmore, JJ
Journal:The Journal of Wildlife Management
Volume:48
Issue:4
Date Published:1984
ISBN Number:0022541X
Keywords:Limosa, Limosa fedoa, Scolopacidae
Abstract:Marbled godwit (Limosa fedoa) wetland and upland habitat use and selection data from eastcentral North Dakota demonstrate that godwits frequently used and preferred short, sparse to moderately vegetated sites and open water or bare soil along wetland shorelines. Breeding godwits used semipermanent wetlands most often, but selectd ephemeral, alkali, and temporary ponds as shown by use--availability comparisons. Godwits selected territories (x̄ = 0.9 km2) that had greater wetland abundance and more wetland classes than equal-sized, randomly sampled areas. Postbreeding godwits primarily used and preferred flooded livestock feedlots and alkali wetalands. Selected wetlands were dominated by preferred cover types with minimal proportions of tall, dense cover. Marbled godwits preferred native grass pastures, hayfields and idle grasslands, and introduced grass pastures. They showed less selection for nonnative (planted) hayfield or idle grassland land-use types and strongly avoided intensively tilled land. Breeding godwits frequently used and seemingly preferred shorter (< 15 cm) grass areas at upland sites. Postbreeding godwits and broods used and selected slightly taller vegetation (15-60 cm). An ecosystem level management approach is recommended incorporating the preservation of wetland complexes, including less permanent pond types and alkali wetlands, and the use of fire, mowing, and grazing on portions of publicly managed lands to recreate the shorter grass "disturbed" habitats of the pristine northern prairie mosaic to which marbled godwits are adapted.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/3801782
Short Title:The Journal of Wildlife Management
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith