Study

Restoration efforts for plant and bird communities in tallgrass prairies using prescribed burning and mowing

  • Published source details van Dyke F., van Kley S.E., Page C.E. & van Beek J.G. (2004) Restoration efforts for plant and bird communities in tallgrass prairies using prescribed burning and mowing. Restoration Ecology, 12, 575-585.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Mow or cut natural grasslands

Action Link
Bird Conservation

Use prescribed burning on grasslands

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. Mow or cut natural grasslands

    A replicated, randomised and controlled study in DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa, USA (van Dyke et al. 2004), found that bird communities were not fundamentally different between areas of tallgrass prairies mown on a 3-4 year rotation and unmanaged or burned prairies (12 species/site for four mowed areas vs. 10 species/site for four burned and 11 species/site for four controls). This study is discussed in detail in ‘Use prescribed burning’.

     

  2. Use prescribed burning on grasslands

    A replicated, randomised and controlled study in DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa, USA, in 1998-1999 (van Dyke et al. 2004), found that the average species richness of tallgrass prairie blocks (3-10 ha) was similar for four burned sites (10), mowed sites (12) and controls (11). Community composition was also similar. Burning and mowing took place from 22 April-11 May 1999.

     

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