Bird-habitat relationships along a vegetation gradient in desert grasslands of the southwest
Publisher
The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
During winter 1996-1997 and summer 1997, I studied bird assemblages along a vegetation gradient in desert grasslands of southeast Arizona and southwest New Mexico. A gradient of increasing woody cover and decreasing grass cover best described the variance in vegetation characteristics among sites. At larger scales of observation, I found woody plant characteristics had a large effect on the presence and distribution of individual species and assemblages. At finer scales of analysis, I found a greater proportion of relationships between birds and particular plant species. Bird species richness was positively related to shrub species richness during winter. I observed greater between season shifts in bird species richness among sites with >1.0% woody cover. Total bird abundance varied little between seasons except at sites with 1.0% woody cover. Woody plant levels below 10% and 20% are likely to increase populations of plains and semidesert grassland bird communities respectively.Type
textThesis-Reproduction (electronic)
Degree Name
M.S.Degree Level
mastersDegree Program
Graduate CollegeRenewable Natural Resources