Land Use Changes and Pheasant Declines in Eastern South Dakota

Changes in pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) nesting habitat were investigated on Windsor Township, Brookings County, South Dakota. The population was censused, nesting densities determined, cover was mapped, and an interspersion index determined in 197 7 and 1978. Comparison to a similar study conducted in 1958 and 1959 indicated a decrease in pheasant numbers of 93% for crow counts and 94% in brood counts. Nesting densities decreased by 96%. Pheasant nests were found in about the same proportions per cover type for the two time periods. Hatching success, clutch size, rates of abandonment, and nest destruction were also similar. Nesting habitat occurred on 70% of the study area in 1958, 62% in 1959, 74% in 197 7, and 66% in 1978. The mean field size was 6.7 ha in 1958, 6.9 ha in 1959, 10.2 ha in 197 7, and 8.0 ha in 1978. The interspersion index decreased by 4% from 1958-59 to 197 7-78. Although land use changes have resulted in reduction of habitat in twenty years the amount of habitat reduction does not compare to the reduction in pheasant numbers. Factors such as cover quality, which could not be measured quantitatively, may be more responsible for decreasing the pheasant population in eastern South Dakota than cover quantity.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Year

1980

Author dc:creator

• Vandel, George M.

• Natural Resources and Conservation

Statement dc:rights

• <p>No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only<br /><a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/</a></p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/102

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openprairie.sdstate.edu:etd-1102