Reserve Program Lands Research Articles

Duck Nest Density and Survival in Post‐Conservation Reserve Program Lands

AbstractFluctuations in both commodity prices and conservation policy have reduced producer enrollment into the U.S. Department of Agriculture Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in the northern Great Plains. Reductions of CRP hectares result in reduced nesting cover for upland nesting ducks as perennial cover is often converted to row crops. Working landscapes that include livestock grazing and haying as management options can maintain perennial grass cover and continue to provide habitat for many wildlife species while simultaneously creating a commodity. To assess the potential of working landscapes for waterfowl conservation, we estimated density and survival of duck nests in post‐CRP fields used for cattle grazing, haying, and crop production over a 9‐year study period in southwestern North Dakota, USA. We used the chain‐drag method to locate 477 nests of 6 duck species. The density analysis was separated into 2 periods to correspond to changes in treatments (i.e., 2006–2011 and 2013–2015). Mean ± SE nest density was lowest in crop fields (0.01 ± 0.01 nests/ha−1), which differed from idle (0.33 ± 0.06 nests/ha−1), season‐long grazed ( 0.18 ± 0.02 nests/ha−1), and haying (0.15 ± 0.04 nests/ha−1). We found no evidence that density was affected by grassland treatment from 2013–2015. Daily nest survival increased with nest age and vegetation height but was lower for nests located in crop fields. Based on our findings, it appears that livestock grazing could be a viable option for waterfowl conservation in post‐CRP fields if nesting vegetation height is considered in grazing plans. Loss of CRP may be mitigated by working landscapes that offer a management alternative to crop production. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.

Land use dynamics within the tallgrass prairie ecosystem: the case for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

Tallgrass prairie has been reduced to a fraction of its original extent, due to rapid conversion to other land use types, especially agricultural and urban. Restoration is a relatively new process to convert agricultural land back to communities dominated by native vegetation. We used a differential equations compartmental model to quantify changes between land use types, incorporating the impact of human population within the Midwestern tallgrass prairie ecosystem. We considered transitions between native prairie, prairie restored through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), agricultural, and urban land. We used historical data to determine parameter ranges. Sensitivity analyses emphasize the importance of increasing incentives for CRP enrollment as a means to restoring the tallgrass prairie ecosystem.

Molecular sequencing and morphological identification reveal similar patterns in native bee communities across public and private grasslands of eastern North Dakota

Bees play a key role in the functioning of human-modified and natural ecosystems by pollinating agricultural crops and wild plant communities. Global pollinator conservation efforts need large-scale and long-term monitoring to detect changes in species’ demographic patterns and shifts in bee community structure. The objective of this project was to test a molecular sequencing pipeline that would utilize a commonly used locus, produce accurate and precise identifications consistent with morphological identifications, and generate data that are both qualitative and quantitative. We applied this amplicon sequencing pipeline to native bee communities sampled across Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands and native grasslands in eastern North Dakota. We found the 28S LSU locus to be more capable of discriminating between species than the 18S SSU rRNA locus, and in some cases even resolved instances of cryptic species or morphologically ambiguous species complexes. Overall, we found the amplicon sequencing method to be a qualitatively accurate representation of the sampled bee community richness and species identity, especially when a well-curated database of known 28S LSU sequences is available. Both morphological identification and molecular sequencing revealed similar patterns in native bee community structure across CRP lands and native prairie. Additionally, a genetic algorithm approach to compute taxon-specific correction factors using a small subset of the most concordant samples demonstrated that a high level of quantitative accuracy could be possible if the specimens are fresh and processed soon after collection. Here we provide a first step to a molecular pipeline for identifying insect pollinator communities. This tool should prove useful for future national monitoring efforts as use of molecular tools becomes more affordable and as numbers of 28S LSU sequences for pollinator species increase in publicly-available databases.

Assessing Issues in Wildland Habitat Management in the State of Mississippi

In the last several years, the degradation of natural areas has been occurring at an alarming proportion. Open spaces that provide habitats to different life forms are being degraded because of improper management practices, contamination, and the desire to sustain societal needs for housing, transportation etc. In the process, habitat loss stands as one of the most significant threats to biodiversity and a major environmental problem facing society. In the literature, the loss, degradation and alteration of habitats are the primary factors responsible for the global disappearance of rare species of wild animals and plants. While some may assume that habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity are problems of species rich developing nations, it has become a serious problem in the United States (US). In the state of Mississippi, most of the bottomland hardwood forests and significant portions of thousands of acres of wetlands and streams have been degraded because of sedimentation and agricultural runoff fueled by intense farming activities. Notwithstanding previous mitigation measures, there has not been a substantial effort to examine these issues alongside current initiatives in habitat conservation in Mississippi. To fill that void, the paper examines the issues in wildlife habitat conservation as well as current initiatives with emphasis on the trends and factors using mixscale methods built on integrated Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and descriptive statistics. On the one hand, the temporal profile from the results point to changes in the form of gains and declines in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land areas with the Central and Northeast region outpacing the Southwest zones of the state coupled with degradation. On the other, GIS mapping of change, not only showed the concentration of vast natural areas dispersed statewide, but pinpointed clusters of habitats slated for restoration and mitigation. With changes attributed to unsustainable land use practices, policy lapses, limited education and poor monitoring, community efforts remain in high gear among stakeholders to ensure habitat protection. Accordingly, the paper proffered solutions based on the need for conservation, adherence to best management practices, education and support for local participation.

Testing Control Options for Western Salsify (Tragopogon dubius) on Conservation Reserve Program Lands

Western salsify has recently formed dense stands in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands in north-central Montana. Our objective was to test the effects of various herbicide treatments and mowing on western salsify and associated vegetation in CRP lands. Six herbicide treatments and one mowing treatment were applied at three sites in 2010. Herbicide treatments included combinations of glyphosate, 2,4-D, dicamba, and/or metsulfuron-methyl applied when western salsify was either in the rosette or early flowering stage. Mowing was applied at the early flowering stage. Herbicide treatments reduced western salsify and increased perennial grass at one of the three sites, which was the site most dominated by western salsify. When dicamba (0.14 kg ae ha−1) plus 2,4-D (0.48 kg ae ha−1) was applied at the rosette stage, western salsify adult plant density and biomass were reduced to zero and perennial grass biomass increased by 108% in 2010. In 2011, western salsify adult plant density was lower across all herbicide treatments compared to the mowed and nontreated plots. Annual grass density increased by up to 400% when herbicide applications including metsulfuron-methyl were applied at the early flowering stage. Mowing did not control western salsify. Results suggest dicamba plus 2,4-D applied at the rosette stage can provide effective control of western salsify and increase perennial grasses without stimulating the emergence of annual grasses.

Bed Site Selection by Neonate Deer in Grassland Habitats on the Northern Great Plains

Abstract: Bed site selection is an important behavioral trait influencing neonate survival. Vegetation characteristics of bed sites influence thermal protection of neonates and concealment from predators. Although previous studies describe bed site selection of neonatal white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in regions of forested cover, none determined microhabitat effects on neonate bed site selection in the Northern Great Plains, an area of limited forest cover. During summers 2007–2009, we investigated bed site selection (n = 152) by 81 radiocollared neonate white‐tailed deer in north‐central South Dakota, USA. We documented 80 (52.6%) bed sites in tallgrass‐Conservation Reserve Program lands, 35 (23.0%) bed sites in forested cover, and 37 (24.3%) in other habitats (e.g., pasture, alfalfa, wheat). Bed site selection varied with age and sex of neonate. Tree canopy cover (P < 0.001) and tree basal area (P < 0.001) decreased with age of neonates, with no bed sites observed in forested cover after 18 days of age. Male neonates selected sites with less grass cover (P < 0.001), vertical height of understory vegetation (P < 0.001), and density of understory vegetation (P < 0.001) but greater bare ground (P = 0.047), litter (P = 0.028), and wheat (P = 0.044) than did females. Odds of bed site selection increased 3.5% (odds ratio = 1.035, 95% CI = 1.008–1.062) for every 1‐cm increase in vertical height of understory vegetation. Management for habitat throughout the grasslands of South Dakota that maximizes vertical height of understory vegetation would enhance cover characteristics selected by neonates.

Bioenergy Crop Production in the United States: Potential Quantities, Land Use Changes, and Economic Impacts on the Agricultural Sector

The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energyjointly analyzed the economic potential for,and impacts of, large-scale bioenergy cropproduction in the United States. Anagricultural sector model (POLYSYS) wasmodified to include three potential bioenergycrops (switchgrass, hybrid poplar, and willow). At farmgate prices of US $2.44/GJ, anestimated 17 million hectares of bioenergycrops, annually yielding 171 million dry Mg ofbiomass, could potentially be produced at aprofit greater than existing agricultural usesfor the land. The estimate assumes highproductivity management practices are permittedon Conservation Reserve Program lands. Traditional crops prices are estimated toincrease 9 to 14 percent above baseline pricesand farm income increases annually by US $6.0billion above baseline.At farmgate prices of US $1.83/GJ, anestimated 7.9 million hectares of bioenergycrops, annually yielding 55 million dry Mg ofbiomass, could potentially be produced at aprofit greater than existing agricultural usesfor the land. The estimate assumes managementpractices intended to achieve highenvironmental benefits on Conservation ReserveProgram lands. Traditional crops prices areestimated to increase 4 to 9 percent abovebaseline prices and farm income increasesannually by US $2.8 billion above baseline.

DOES HABITAT FRAGMENTATION INFLUENCE NEST PREDATION IN THE SHORTGRASS PRAIRIE?

Abstract We examined the effects of habitat fragmentation and vegetation structure of shortgrass prairie and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands on predation rates of artificial and natural nests in northeastern Colorado. The CRP provides federal payments to landowners to take highly erodible cropland out of agricultural production. In our study area, CRP lands have been reseeded primarily with non-native grasses, and this vegetation is taller than native shortgrass prairie. We measured three indices of habitat fragmentation (patch size, degree of matrix fragmentation, and distance from edge), none of which influenced mortality rates of artificial or natural nests. Vegetation structure did influence predation rates of artificial nests; daily mortality decreased significantly with increasing vegetation height. Vegetation structure did not influence predation rates of natural nests. CRP lands and shortgrass sites did not differ with respect to mortality rates of artificial nests. Our study area is only...