Does management for duck productivity affect songbird nesting success?

Published source details Koper N. & Schmiegelow F.K.A. (2007) Does management for duck productivity affect songbird nesting success?. Journal of Wildlife Management, 71, 2249-2257.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Employ grazing in natural grasslands Action Link
	Employ grazing in natural grasslands Action Link

Employ grazing in natural grasslands

A replicated study in 2000-2002 on 34 fields of dry, native, prairie in southern Alberta, Canada (Koper & Schmiegelow 2007), found that grazing only affected six of 31 bird species investigated. Only soras Porzana carolina were more abundant in late-grazed fields than ungrazed fields, only marsh wrens Cistothorus palustris were more abundant in early-grazed fields compared to late-grazed and only lesser scaup Aythya affinis were more abundant in late-grazed fields than in those grazed early in the season.
Employ grazing in natural grasslands

A replicated study in 2000-2002 in 32 mixed-grass prairie fields in southern Alberta, Canada (Koper & Schmiegelow 2007), found that duck nesting success was influenced by grazing and vegetation structure (with higher nesting success in taller vegetation). Duck success was 43% lower in ungrazed fields compared with those grazed from July and northern shovellers Anas clypeata had 64% lower success in early-grazed fields, compared with those grazed from July. However, nesting success of all but one songbird species was not influenced by these factors. The authors conclude that managing for ducks using grazing and other interventions is unlikely to provide habitat for songbirds.