Progress 12/01/02 to 11/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Two experimental studies were conducted. The first included 3 treatments (winter burning, forested sites; planting native warm season grasses [NWSG] in forest openings sites; planting NWSG in old field sites) and control sites (no burning or planting). Data were collected for 3 years to estimate response of plant and bird spp. to treatments and control. Analyses of data and a Ph.D. dissertation were completed in 2006. Our hypotheses and methods were taught to students in lectures and labs, presented as case studies of research study design, research implementation, and enhancement of degraded habitats. Classes to which information was provided: Field orientation, measurements, and sampling in forestry and natural resources; Techniques in wildlife population management; and Field ornithology. Results and information were presented to: Georgia Chapter of The Wildlife Society (TWS); XX International Grassland Congress, Dublin, Ireland (poster); SE PIF meeting, TX; 4th Eastern
Native Grass Symp., Lexington, KY; Georgia Ornithological Society (GOS; poster); Graduate Student Symposium, Warnell School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia (UGA); Georgia Piedmont Natural Resources Council meeting. Our information was used to provide advice to the Georgia State Technical Committee, Farm Bill, FSA and NRCS; NRCS WHMI; USFWS Piedmont NWR; Oconee NF; and Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR). Input was provided to the 50-year management plan, Joe Kurz WMA, GA DNR, and to new avian surveys initiated in 2008 by GA DNR. The second experimental study included an experimental design with 3 sites and 18 plots per site. Five treatments and a control were randomly assigned to each plot within each site. Effects of treatments were expected to reduce woody plant species competition with wiregrass (Aristida stricta Michx. and A. beyrichiana Trin. & Rupr.) and associated herbaceous species; enhancing the herbaceous community under long leaf pine (Pinus
palustris) on Yuchi WMA, upper coastal plain ecological region of Georgia. Treatments were: hexazinone (Velpar L), hexazinone and prescribed burning, imazapyr (Chopper), imazapyr and prescribed burning, prescribed burning. No change was made in control plots. Treatments began in fall 2005 and were completed in spring 2006. Responses of vegetation were measured through 2006. Data were analyzed in winter 2006-2007. During 2006, no differences were detected among treatments. The M.S. student completed her thesis in summer 2007. The study design, hypotheses tested, and methods used were provided as case study examples in classes: Techniques in wildlife population management; and Wildlife habitat management. Results and information were presented to: Graduate Student Symposium, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, UGA; Conf., Academy of the Environment, Athens, GA (poster); 5th Biennial Eastern Native Grass Symp., Harrisburg, PA; 13th Ann. Conf., TWS, Anchorage, AK; Georgia
Chapter of TWS; BASF - Quality Vegetation Management Advisor and Applicator Meeting, Swainsboro, GA; Chamblee High School Environmental Science class, Chamblee, GA.
PARTICIPANTS: Sara H. Schweitzer - Principal Investigator; Michael Murphy - Research Professional and Coordinator; Phil Hale - Research Professional and Coordinator; Angela McMellen - Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.); Allyson S. Read - Graduate Research Assistant (M.S.); Deasy Lontoh - Temporary Technician; Kathryn E. Lutkiewicz - Temporary Technician; Ryan C. Welsh - Temporary Technician; Denise Bacon - Temporary Technician; Kathryn A. Smith - Temporary Technician; Brad Ogle - Temporary Technician; William Nate Wilson - Temporary Technician; Erin Marie Reno - Temporary Technician; Georgia Department of Natural Resources; U.S. Forest Service; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; BASF. Two graduate students, 10 undergraduate students, and 2 research coordinators worked on the project and learned new skills and gained new knowledge. In classrooms, undergraduate, graduate, and high school students were presented with the results from this project in appropriate contexts. Land managers,
land owners, personnel of a herbicide company, and state biologists were provided with our findings in outreach presentations.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences were federal employees, state employees, university scientists, scientists with private foundations, students, land managers, land owners, farmers who produce grass and other seeds for the market. We delivered our science-based knowledge to people through formal and informal educational programs: formal classroom instruction, field laboratory instruction, presentations at professional scientific conferences, and presentations at local, informal gatherings. Also disseminated information through published materials.
PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No Project Modifications information reported.
Impacts
When this project was initiated (2002), there were no native warm season grasses re-established on lands owned and managed by the GA DNR or USFWS; most grasses were introduced, cool-season, sod-forming, pasture grasses. Since this research has been conducted and disseminated, hundreds of acres of land on GA DNR lands and those of federal agencies are re-established in native grasses. Further, private land owners are creating seed sources of local native grasses in their new grass seed orchards. The Farm Bill requires that land owners enrolled in many of its conservation programs, re-establish native grasses on the property. Seed producers will have a viable market for years to come. The USFS confirmed that they could not provide adequate early successional habitat for species such as the Red Cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) without thinning dense forest lands. They obtained permission to thin portions of the Oconee NF and continue to enhance early sucessional
habitats. Continued monitoring of bird species in re-established sites during winter will provide further information on the importance of these habitats to wintering, long-distance migratory birds. Re-establishment of native grasses will also benefit game birds (Northern Bobwhite, Colinus virginianus) that are in decline too.
Publications
- McMellen, A., and S. H. Schweitzer. in press, 2008. Establishment of native warm-season grasses within the southern Piedmont: responses of early successional birds. USDA, NRCS, Agricultural Wildlife Conservation Center, Technical Note Number xx.
- Read, A.S. 2007. Wiregrass and other herbaceous species' response to herbicide and fire treatments. M.S. Thesis, University of Georgia.
- Read, A. S., and S. H. Schweitzer. 2007. A preliminary comparison of herbicide treatments in the experimental restoration of wiregrass communities. Georgia Forestry Today 3:24.
- Read, A.S., and S.H. Schweitzer. 2007. Experimental restoration of wiregrass communities: a preliminary comparison of herbicide treatments (Georgia). Ecological Restoration 25:60-61.
- Read, A.S., and S.H. Schweitzer. 2007. Experimental restoration of wiregrass (Aristida stricta) communities. Final Report to Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Forsyth, GA. 18pp.
- McMellen, A.B. 2006. Avian and arthropod response to native warm season grass restoration in central Georgia, USA. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Georgia.
- McMellen, A.B. and S.H. Schweitzer. 2005. A comparison of restored native grasslands and exotic grass pastures as wintering habitat for declining grassland bird species in the Southeastern United States. p. 658 in Proceedings, XX International Grassland Congress. Dublin, Ireland. (abstract)
- McMellen, A.B. and S.H. Schweitzer. 2005. Breeding bird response to the re-establishment of native grasses in Georgia, USA. p. 62 in T.G. Barnes and L.R. Kiesel (eds.) Proceedings, Fourth Eastern Native Grass Symposium. University of Kentucky, Department of Forestry, Lexington, KY, 3-6 October 2004. (abstract)
- McMellen, A.B. and S.H. Schweitzer. 2005. Effects of the restoration of native warm season grasses on wintering grassland birds in Georgia USA. p. 18 in Proceedings of the Annual Southeast Partners in Flight Meeting, McAllen, TX, 16-18 February. (abstract)
- McMellen, A.B. and S.H. Schweitzer. 2004. Annual progress report: Avian response to the re-establishment of native warm season grasses in central Georgia. U.S. Forest Service, Gainesville, GA.
- McMellen, A.B., S.H. Schweitzer and P.E. Hale. 2004. Avian response to the re-establishment of native warm season grasses in central Georgia. The Oriole 69:21. (abstract)
- McMellen, A.B., S.H. Schweitzer and P.E. Hale. 2003. Annual progress report: Avian response to the re-establishment of native warm season grasses in central Georgia. U.S. Forest Service, Gainesville, GA.
- McMellen, A.B., S.H. Schweitzer and P.E. Hale. 2002. Annual progress report: Avian response to the re-establishment of native warm season grasses in central Georgia. U.S. Forest Service, Gainesville, GA.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
We finalized our study on responses of bird communities during breeding and winter seasons, and summer arthropod communities, to current land management practices (annual mowing and periodic burning) and experimental native grass restoration. Study plots were in open agricultural fields to pine stands with low basal area and grassy understory, on state and federal lands in the Georgia Piedmont ecological region. Native warm season grasses were established successfully in an open, agricultural landscape and 1.2- to 4-ha forest openings. Restored plots had tall, distinct bunches of native grass and little shrub cover. No differences were detected between breeding bird communities of restored and control plots. Winter bird abundance was variable between years, but consistently greater in restored plots. Native warm season grass plots supported substantial numbers of shrub-scrub and forest-disturbance birds during breeding seasons, and grass-herb and shrub-scrub birds
during winters. Shrub-scrub birds were negatively correlated with forest cover in a 1-km buffer around plots during breeding and winter seasons. Grass-herb birds were positively correlated with grass cover during breeding and winter seasons. No relationship was detected between grass-herb birds and forest cover during breeding seasons; a negative relationship was detected during winter. The highest total conservation value during summer and winter was associated with open woodlands, but differences were not significant, suggesting all plots contributed conservation value to the system. Managing for native grass and forb cover may increase arthropod abundance. Arthropod abundance and family richness were greatest in plots with little canopy cover and much grass and forb cover. Contrary to expectations, Solenopsis invicta did not negatively impact arthropod abundance or richness. Orthopteran abundance was lowest in mowed treatments. Spiders were abundant in all but the densest forest
treatment. To manage for a diverse community of early successional birds in the Southeast, a mixture of grassland types, including native grasslands, is desirable across the landscape. During 2004, we initiated a study on restoration of wiregrass (Aristida stricta) communities within the sandhill ecological region of Georgia, using fire and/or herbicide treatments. Treatments were applied in 2005. In 2006, data were collected and preliminary results summarized. Analyses did not detect different responses of horizontal plant cover among imazapyr, hexazinone, or control. Imazapyr application resulted in greater plant species diversity and vertical structure; hexazinone resulted in lower species diversity and vertical structure. Control plots had the greatest species diversity and vertical structure. Although first year results suggest that imazapyr may effect greater plant species diversity and structure, second year results will provide comprehensive results.
Impacts
Information from this project is guiding recommendations by federal and state biologists in their assistance to private landowners so they can enhance their land. On federal and state lands, technicians are using recommendations from this study to enhance habitat for early successional birds. Results from portion of study examining herbicide and fire to enhance wiregrass communities, are being used to assist field applicators, wildlife biologists and technicians, and others in their enhancement of early successional habiats.
Publications
- Read, A.G.S., and S. H. Schweitzer. 2006. Experimental restoration of wiregrass communities. 13th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society, Anchorage Alaska, September. (p. 66 in Abstracts)
- Read, A.G.S., and S.H. Schweitzer. 2006. Experimental restoration of wiregrass communities. 9th Annual Warnell School of Forest Resources, Grad. Student Symposium, University of Georgia, Athens, February. (p. 9 in Proceedings)
- McMellen, A.B. and S.H. Schweitzer. 2006. Impacts of native grass restoration on breeding and wintering early successional birds. Journal of Wildlife Management. In review.
- McMellen, A.B. and S.H. Schweitzer. 2006. Response of summer and winter birds to management for early successional habitat. Journal of Wildlife Management. In review.
- McMellen, A.B., D.E.W. Drumtra, and S.H. Schweitzer. 2006. Impact of early successional habitat management on arthropod prey abundance for breeding bird communities. Conservation Biology. In review.
- Read, A.G.S., and S. H. Schweitzer. 2006. Experimental restoration of wiregrass communities. 5th Eastern Native Grass Symposium, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, October.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Experimental sites were on state and federal lands in the Piedmont: Clark's Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA; Georgia Department of Natural Resources [GA DNR]), Joe Kurz WMA (GA DNR), Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service); and Oconee National Forest (U.S. Forest Service). We established 12 plots of 3-10 acres each. Six plots were openings within a landscape of loblolly pines. Six plots were fields within an open agricultural landscape. Within each landscape context, 3 experimental plots were planted with big bluestem, little bluestem, switch grass, and Indian grass during spring 2002. Three control plots remained under current management of annual mowing and periodic burning. Breeding bird use of experimental and control plots was monitored using constant effort mist netting, point counts, and transect surveys during spring 2002-2004. Vegetation measurements were made during spring 2002-2004 to evaluate success of native grass
reestablishment and to quantify vegetative differences between control and experimental plots. Avian species richness in experimental and control plots remained similar from 2002-2004, but the bird communities were composed of different species in the experimental and control plots. Mist net capture rates were higher in control plots in 2002, but in 2003 and 2004, capture rates were higher in experimental plots. Grass cover increased from 2002-2003 in experimental plots but decreased in control plots. Plant species richness was similar in control and experimental plots in 2002, but higher in experimental plots in 2003. Reestablished native grass fields appear to provide better habitat for breeding birds within the Piedmont. Winter bird abundance in native grass plots in the open, agricultural landscape was about 2 times what it was in control plots. Grassland obligate sparrows were about 2-3 times more common in native grass plots. Native grass plots also supported a more diverse bird
community. By winter 2003, native grass plots in both pine and open agricultural landscapes had 2 times the bird species richness of control plots. Swamp and Vesper Sparrows were only in the open agricultural landscape, and both species were more common in native grass plots. The same patterns were even more pronounced in native grass plots established within forest openings. Winter bird abundance in native grass forest openings was >2 times that in the exotic grass forest openings. There were even larger differences in sparrow capture rates. In winter 2002 and 2003, only 3 sparrows were captured in the exotic grass forest openings, while 58 sparrows were captured in the native grass forest openings. Bird species richness was consistently greater in the openings planted with native grasses. During 2004, we completed data collection on breeding season and wintering bird presence on the sites, and on vegetative responses to treatments. New research began in 2004, examining responses of
native grass and other herbaceous species to treatments of herbicides, burning, alone and in combination. Plant community data will be collected through 2007.
Impacts
Native grasses provide better habitat for bird species dependent on early successional conditions, especially during winter when the Southeast provides refuge for birds migrating from northern regions. We demonstrated several landscape contexts within which native grasses can be established and we explained how to establish native grasses. Landowners interested in personal and / or government supported land conservation efforts will benefit from our results; concomitantly, soil stabilization, water quality, and wildlife populations will benefit.
Publications
- McMellen, A.B., and S.H. Schweitzer. 2005. A comparison of restored native grasslands and exotic grass pastures as wintering habitat for declining grassland bird species in the Southeastern USA. in press Proceedings of the Twentieth International Grassland Congress, Dublin, Ireland, June.
- McMellen, A.B., and S.H. Schweitzer. 2005. Wintering birds and native grass restoration: a case study from Georgia. Poster presentation, Page 18 in Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of Southeastern Partners in Flight, McAllen, Texas, February.
- McMellen, A.B., and S.H. Schweitzer. 2005. Breeding bird response to native warm-season grass reestablishment in the Piedmont of Georgia. Page 62 in T.B. Barnes and L.R. Kiesel, editors, Proceedings of the Fourth Eastern Native Grass Symposium, Lexington, Kentucky, October 2004.
- Read, A.G.S., and S.H. Schweitzer. 2005. Experimental restoration of wiregrass (Aristida stricta) communities. Page 23 in Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Warnell School of Forest Resources Graduate Student Symposium, University of Georgia, Athens, February.
- Schweitzer, S.H., and A.B. McMellen. 2005. Establishment of native warm-season grasses within the southern Piedmont: responses of early successional birds. USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wildlife Habitat Management Institute, Technical Note.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
During spring 2002, 6 research sites in the Piedmont region of Georgia were selected. We established plots on GA-DNR, USFWS, and USFS land. Three plots in thinned and burned pine stands were at Clark's Hill WMA (GA-DNR). Six plots at Piedmont NWR (USFWS) were in forest openings that had been food plots. Three forest openings were planted with Indian grass, big bluestem, and little bluestem at approximately 7 lbs pure live seed/ac, April 2002; and 3 other forest openings were control plots (not planted with grasses; managed with mowing and burning). Six plots were established on Oconee National Forest (USDA); 3 were thinned within the past 7 years and 3 had not been thinned recently; all 6 plots were maintained using fire. Six plots on old fields were established at Joe Kurz WMA (GA-DNR); 3 were planted with a mixture of switch grass, Indian grass, big bluestem, and little bluestem at a rate of 7 lbs pls/ac; 3 plots were not planted and were maintained by burning and
mowing. We used mist netting to assess winter bird communities. Three rounds of mist netting were conducted between January and March 2003 & 2004. Every 10 days, 4 12-m, 36-mm mesh black mist nets were erected in each plot, and opened from 07:30 to 13:30. Additionally, we measured vertical vegetative structure using a cover board whereby visual obstruction of each 0.5-m stratum in each cardinal direction was estimated. We also measured grass height (dm) using a Robel pole. From April-June 2003 & 2004, mist netting, plot mapping, point counts, and behavioral observations were conducted to assess the breeding season avian community. Summer vegetation characteristics were recorded and insect (especially fire ant) communities were sampled. Although data analyses are in progress, early findings indicate that restored native grass areas may be more important to wintering birds than breeding birds. In 2003, there was no difference between capture rates in open planted (0.39 birds/net hr) and
open control (0.22 birds/net hr, p=0.14), but forest planted plots had a greater capture rate (0.31 birds/net hr) than forest control plots (0.03 birds/net hr). When capture rates for only grassland obligate sparrows were considered, planted treatments within both landscapes yielded more sparrows than controls (open planted=0.30 sparrows/net hr, control=0.09 sparrows/net hr, p=0.01; forest planted=0.28, control=0.01, p=0.058). In 2004, capture rates were lower in all plots. Capture rates did not vary between planted and control plots in either landscape (open plant v. control p=0.23; forest plant v. control p=0.089), although data within the forested landscape tended towards a significant difference. High variance associated with low capture rates likely precluded detection of a statistical difference. Sparrow capture rates were not significantly different between treatments within either landscape.
Impacts
Grassland bird winter abundances vary dramatically from year to year within the same landscape making year to year comparisons difficult, thus emphasizing the need for long-term studies of restoration projects. Native grass restoration may provide an important management tool for wintering grassland birds, especially within a forested landscape. Land managers will be able to use our findings to guide their restoration efforts in old fields, forest openings, and thinned forests.
Publications
- McMellen, A.B. and S.H. Schweitzer. 2005. Effects of the restoration of native warm season grasses on wintering grassland birds in Georgia USA. Southeast Partners in Flight program, pg. 18.
- McMellen, A.B. and S.H. Schweitzer. 2005. A comparison of restored native grasslands and exotic grass pastures as wintering habitat for declining grassland bird species in the Southeastern United States. Proceedings of the XX International Grassland Congress Dublin, Ireland, June 2005.
- McMellen, A.B. and S.H. Schweitzer. 2004. Breeding bird response to the re-establishment of native grasses in Georgia, USA. Proceedings of the 4th Eastern Native Grass Symposium, Lexington, KY, October 2004.
- McMellen, A.B., S.H. Schweitzer and P.E. Hale. 2005. Avian response to the re-establishment of native warm season grasses in central Georgia. The Oriole.
- McMellen, A.B. and S.H. Schweitzer. 2005. The effects of native grass re-establishment on breeding bird communities in Georgia. The Oriole.
- McMellen, A.B. and S.H. Schweitzer. 2004. Annual progress report: Avian response to the re-establishment of native warm season grasses in central Georgia. U.S. Forest Service, Gainesville, GA.
- McMellen, A.B., S.H. Schweitzer and P.E. Hale. 2003. Annual progress report: Avian response to the re-establishment of native warm season grasses in central Georgia. U.S. Forest Service, Gainesville, GA.
- McMellen, A.B., S.H. Schweitzer and P.E. Hale. 2002. Annual progress report: Avian response to the re-establishment of native warm season grasses in central Georgia. U.S. Forest Service, Gainesville, GA.
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