Lesser prairie-chicken densities on tebuthiuron-treated and untreated sand shinnery oak rangelands

Abstract

Line transect procedures were used to estimate density of lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) in tebuthiuron-treated and untreated sand shinnery oak (Quercus havardii Rydb.) rangelands. Forb and grass composition was greater (P less than or equal to 0.014, P < 0.001, respectively) in treated areas than in untreated areas, while shrub composition was greater (P < 0.001) in untreated sites. Densities of lesser prairie-chicken were similar (P less than or equal to 0.298) between treatments. Summer densities were 0.26 birds/ha in treated areas and 0.20 birds/ha in untreated areas, while winter densities were 0.53 and 0.34 birds/ha, respectively. Because shinnery oak provides an important source of shade and food for lesser prairie-chicken, and may be important for cover maintenance by preventing entire areas from being overgrazed in dry years, preservation of some untreated areas is recommended.