Title
Using Grassland Birds to Guide an Ecological Restoration of Bison
Author(s)
Ellison, K.;Zack, S.
Published
2014
Abstract
For millennia, Bison (Bison bison) and fire were the predominant forces that shaped and maintained North American grasslands. Following the loss of these forces, and subsequent development and degradation associated with agricultural production, wildlife populations declined precipitously. Grassland birds have declined annually more than any other guild sincepopulations were first measured in the 1960s. Since 1990, 17 grassland restoration efforts have reintroduced plains bison (Bison bison bison), for a total of 63 conservation herds. Yet, few managers have experience with bison and attempts at an Ecological Recovery require measureable outcomes. Our approach is to identify different grassland bird species as viable indicators for bison grazing management, as different bird species respond to different levels of grazing intensity, and presumably did so historically. There seems to be great potential to manage grazers to help restore heterogeneity in grassland habitats essential to Great Plains wildlife. Since 2009, we have used grassland birds (Sprague‘s Pipit Anthus spragueii, Baird‘s Sparrow Ammodramus bairdii, Chestnut-collared Longspur Calcarius ornatus, McCown‘s Longspur Rhyncophanes mccownii) as indicators of ecological recovery, and grazing management as a tool in grassland bird conservation (also engaging cattle-producers). Through grazing management with partners, we are attempting to re-create the habitat heterogeneity that will allow re-establishment of specific grassland bird species through adaptive management feedback. We also briefly discuss how bison wallowing, Prairie Dog towns (Cynomys spp.), fire, and native predators are also necessary elements toward a full ecological recovery of portions of the Great Plains with bison.

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PUB15092