Birds on Modified Wetlands in Eastern South Dakota

To examine the role of bird species (other than Anatidae) in the prairie wetlands ecosystem. Seven wetlands on Waterfowl Production Areas in eastern South Dakota were utilized to measure differences between bird communities in plots with dug brood complexes and non-modified plots. Thirty-eight species of wetland birds were recorded on wetlands during June 1981 and June 1982. The most abundant species included the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), marsh wren (Cistothorus palustris), and song sparrow (Melospiza melodia). Analysis of variance was used to test between treatment (modified and natural plots on the wetlands) differences for the dependent variables: density, bird species diversity, species richness, and equitability. No significant differences were found between treatments for any of the dependent variables. For 1981-1982, 5 years after excavation of dug brood complexes, the effects of these modifications on wetland bird communities appeared negligible. However, upland cover on the islands of the dug brood complexes provided nesting habitat for some upland nesting species and a possible food source for other upland and marsh-edge species.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Year

1983

Author dc:creator

• Brady, E. Nell

Contributors dc:contributor

• Raymond L. Linder

• 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/18

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openprairie.sdstate.edu:etd-1018