Study

Regional variation in abundance and response to fire by Henslow's sparrows in Louisiana

  • Published source details Palasz L.M., Brooks M.E. & Stouffer P.C. (2010) Regional variation in abundance and response to fire by Henslow's sparrows in Louisiana. Journal of Field Ornithology, 81, 139-150.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use prescribed burning on pine forests

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. Use prescribed burning on pine forests

    A replicated study in the winters of 2005-2007 in 19 longleaf pine and flatwoods pitcher plant savannas in Louisiana, USA (Palasz et al. 2010), found that the response of over-wintering Henslow's sparrows to burning varied regionally: abundance in burn plots increased over the first three years after burning in western plots (from approximately 1 bird/ha to 2 birds/ha), but decreased in the east (from 2 to 1  birds/ha). Different habitats may explain the regional responses, as seven of ten eastern plots were in wet flatwoods pitcher plant bogs, five of six western plots were in (drier) longleaf savanna. Throughout Louisiana 19, 2.25 ha plots were established, with 18 burned every 2-3 years. Sparrows were surveyed by flush netting in November-April. Habitat generally became unsuitable for sparrows by about 5-years post-burn due to woody plant encroachment.

     

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