Effects of prairie grazing and burning on densities and habitats of breeding ducks in North Dakota

Published source details Kruse A.D. & Bowen B.S. (1996) Effects of prairie grazing and burning on densities and habitats of breeding ducks in North Dakota. Journal of Wildlife Management, 60, 233-246.
Share Tweet Email

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Employ grazing in natural grasslands Action Link
	Use prescribed burning on grasslands Action Link

Employ grazing in natural grasslands

A randomised, controlled, replicated before-and-after study in 1980-1988 in mixed-grass prairie at Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota, USA (Kruse & Bowen 1996), found that nest densities of gadwall Anas strepera and blue-winged teal were lower in areas and years with spring cattle grazing, or a combination of grazing and summer burning compared to control areas. Five other species did not show a response to grazing. Nest success was generally high (31-45%) and unaffected by treatment. The authors argue that grazing reduced brush cover that provided nesting habitat for ducks.
Use prescribed burning on grasslands

A randomised, controlled, replicated before-and-after study in 1980-1988 in mixed-grass prairie at Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota, USA (Kruse & Bowen 1996), found that nest densities of gadwall Anas strepera (but not six other duck species) were lower in areas and years with summer burning (and for several years after) compared to control areas. Densities of gadwall and blue-winged teal A. discors were also lower in areas with a combination of burning and spring cattle grazing. Nest success was generally high (31-45%) and unaffected by treatment. The authors argue that grazing reduced brush cover that provided nesting habitat for ducks.