Abstract
In August 1992, we treated cattail-dominated wetlands in four 23-km 2 blocks with aerially-applied glyphosate herbicide (5.3 1 ha −1). Four other blocks of wetlands were left untreated (reference). We assessed the effects of cattail ( Typha spp.) reduction on roosting blackbird (Icterinae) numbers and sunflower damage within the blocks. Blackbird numbers did not differ between posttreatment years ( P = 0.453) or between treated and reference wetlands ( P = 0.469), averaging 6227 ± 4185 (SE) birds per block. Sunflower damage within blocks was similar between posttreatment years ( P = 0.250) and did not vary ( P = 0.460) between treatments ( x = 2.9 ± 1.2% ). However, positive linear relationships were detected between blackbird numbers ( y) and hectares of live cattails ( x) [( y = 442.2 x)] ( P = 0.006) and between blackbird numbers ( x) and kilograms of sunflower lost per hectare per year ( y) [( y = 0.003 x)] ( P = 0.0001). Cattail reduction appears to discourage roosting blackbirds and, thus, may reduce sunflower damage in adjacent fields.
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