Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 1992 |
Authors: | Riley, TZ, Davis, CA, Ortiz, M, Wisdom, MJ |
Journal: | The Journal of Wildlife Management |
Volume: | 56 |
Issue: | 2 |
Date Published: | 1992 |
ISBN Number: | 0022541X |
Keywords: | Phasianidae, Tympanuchus, Tympanuchus pallidicinctus |
Abstract: | Most descriptions of vegetation at lesser prairie chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) nests do not differentiate between those that are successful or unsuccessful. Consequently, we used radio telemetry and ground searching to analyze vegetative characteristics around 36 lesser prairie chicken nests in areas where vegetation was dominated by a mixture of shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) and grassland in eastern Chaves County, New Mexico. Female prairie chickens primarily used bluestem grasses as nesting cover. Basal composition of sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii) was greater (P ≤ 0.05) around successful than unsuccessful nests. Plants at successful nests were taller (x̄ = 66.6 cm, P < 0.02) than those at unsuccessful nests (x̄ = 34.9 cm). Lesser prairie chicken nesting habitat could be improved in southeastern New Mexico by increasing the composition and height of sand bluestem within potential nesting habitats. |
URL: | http://www.jstor.org/stable/3808839 |
Short Title: | The Journal of Wildlife Management |
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