Offered Papers Theme B: Grassland and the Environment
Description
Grasslands, planted or native sod, can provide multiple simultaneous functions (e.g., hay-forage production, biomass fuel products, bird nesting cover, soil and water conservation). Bird use of and abundance in grasslands is dependent on vegetation structure, size, and surrounding landscape (Bakker et al., 2002) but little is known about avian relationships to plant species diversity. We evaluated the relationship between plant species diversity and avian community structure in 5 grassland types. The results have application to grazing, haying, burning, and conservation practices applied to native and sown grassland stands and to conservation strategies for declining grassland bird populations.
Citation
Bakker, K. K. and Higgins, K. F., "Effects of Plant Species Diversity in Multifunctional Grasslands on Avian Communities" (2023). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 210.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/20/themeB/210
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Effects of Plant Species Diversity in Multifunctional Grasslands on Avian Communities
Grasslands, planted or native sod, can provide multiple simultaneous functions (e.g., hay-forage production, biomass fuel products, bird nesting cover, soil and water conservation). Bird use of and abundance in grasslands is dependent on vegetation structure, size, and surrounding landscape (Bakker et al., 2002) but little is known about avian relationships to plant species diversity. We evaluated the relationship between plant species diversity and avian community structure in 5 grassland types. The results have application to grazing, haying, burning, and conservation practices applied to native and sown grassland stands and to conservation strategies for declining grassland bird populations.