• About DUC
• Wetland and Waterfowl Conservation
• How You Can Help
• DUC In Your Province
• Resources For You

Wetland & Waterfowl Conservation

• Value of Wetlands
• Waterfowl Conservation Plan
• Current Issues
• Canadian Priorities
• Conservation Programs
• Conservation Research
• DUC Science Team
• Research Projects
• Research Library
• Submit Proposals
• Publications
• Conservation Leaders

Ryan J. Fisher

 

Ryan J. Fisher

Richard H. G. Bonnycastle Fellowship for Prairie Ecosystem Studies

Effect of Landscape Composition on Habitat Selection of Priority Grassland Birds

Department of Biology, University of Regina, SK

Species such as Sprague’s pipit and Baird’s sparrow are most abundant in large continuous parcels of native grasslands. However, these species will nest in planted grasslands in some regions, though the specific conditions under which this occurs are unknown. The goal of this research is to examine local and landscape factors that influence abundance of grassland passerines in native and planted grasslands. Ryan conducted surveys in 18 randomly selected 41-km2 landscapes with high (>60%) and low (<40%) amounts of cropland in central Saskatchewan and southern Alberta. Preliminary results suggest that the abundance of the four most common species was related to both local management practices (native-grazed, tame-grazed and tame-hay) and amount of grassland within 800m of survey locations.

.