The influence of habitat component interspersion on habitat selection of northern bobwhite on the Rio Grande Plains of Texas /
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1990.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | ProQuest, Abstract Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | A study was conducted from June 1987 through August 1988 to determine if patterns of habitat-component interspersion influence habitat selection of northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) in the Rio Grande Plains of south Texas. Research was conducted on the La Copita Research Area, a property owned and operated by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in Jim Wells County. Habitat was evaluated on a fine-scale and broad-scale of resolution at quail telemetry locations and at randomly selected sites that represented available habitat. Fine-scale habitat data were collected from 8-m circular plots on the ground, while broad-scale data were collected from 100-m circular plots from an aerial photograph. Data were collected during 3 seasons: summer 1987 (nesting-brooding), fall-winter 1987-88 (covey), and spring-early summer 1988 (pairing-breeding). On both scales of resolution, during each season, bobwhites selected habitats with a higher degree of habitat-component interspersion, or greater patchiness, than was generally available on the study site. In addition, bobwhites tended to select progressively patchier habitats each season as environmental conditions became drier. Forbs appeared to be the most important fine-scale habitat component within the interspersion matrix as forb patch-to-patch distances was the only variable that was consistently important each season. Grass, shrubs and bare ground also were identified as important habitat components. Narrow portions of roads were identified as the only important broad-scale-habitat component. Important fine-scale and broad-scale-habitat components were not correlated with one another. Of the various vegetative successional stages occurring on the study area, the early stages of shrub cluster development were thought to offer the patterns of habitat-component interspersion most beneficial to bobwhites. Agricultural management practices that reverse plant succession are recommended as techniques to improve habitat-component interspersion. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Wildlife and fisheries sciences." |
| Physical Description: | xiv, 102 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |