{"id":{"repo_id":"uiuc","oai_identifier":"oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/92987"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/uiuc/oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/92987","repository":{"repo_id":"uiuc","name":"University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign","base_url":"https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh"},"display":{"title":"Grassland and breeding bird use of moist-soil wetlands managed for waterfowl","abstract":"Many species of breeding birds are declining in the United States, and grassland birds are among those experiencing the steepest declines. One of the most widely accepted reasons for decreasing populations is habitat loss. For grassland birds in the midwestern United States during the spring and summer, a major concern is the loss of breeding habitat. Illinois has retained less than 1% of native prairie from the early 1800s due to the expansion of agriculture and urban development. Birds that historically relied on prairies for breeding must use alternate vegetative communities to fulfill their needs. Seasonally dewatered wetlands (e.g., moist-soil wetlands) provide vegetation structure similar to grasslands and may provide breeding habitat for birds during the summer when dewatered. I quantified avian use of dewatered moist-soil wetlands in the Illinois River Valley and used environmental variables to predict measures of avian density, avian conservation significance (ACS), nest density, and nest success. Nest densities were greater in grasslands (0.13 nests/ha, SE = 0.02) than in moist-soil wetlands (0.09 nests/ha, SE = 0.01), but habitat did not have a strong effect on avian density (grassland �� = 13.5 birds/ha, SE = 3.5; moist-soil wetland �� = 10.2 birds/ha, SE = 1.1) or ACS (grassland �� = 218.6, SE = 27.8; moist-soil wetland �� = 214.2, SE = 15.9). The percent cover of woody vegetation had a positive relationship with ACS, and the percent cover of forbs had a negative relationship with avian density. Sites that were disconnected from the river had greater avian conservation significance than partially connected sites. Wetland size and the proximity to the Illinois River were poor predictors of nest density. I observed many grassland birds using moist-soil wetlands, including nesting dickcissels (Spiza americana, a generalist-grassland nester) and grasshopper sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum, an obligate-grassland nester). I also observed the state endangered northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), common gallinule (Gallinula galaeta), and Forster's tern (Sterna forsteri) in moist-soil wetlands. Dewatered moist-soil wetlands provide useful breeding habitat for grassland birds, but wetlands that are partially connected to the Illinois River pose a risk to nesting birds if they are flooded during the breeding season. I recommend that moist-soil managers conduct a mid-season or late drawdown of wetlands that are at a high risk of flooding to avoid creating an ecological trap for breeding birds. In moist-soil wetlands that are disconnected from the Illinois River and less likely to flood, I recommend an early drawdown to allow moist-soil vegetation to grow and provide habitat for grassland birds.","abstract_html":"Many species of breeding birds are declining in the United States, and grassland birds are among those experiencing the steepest declines. One of the most widely accepted reasons for decreasing populations is habitat loss. For grassland birds in the midwestern United States during the spring and summer, a major concern is the loss of breeding habitat. Illinois has retained less than 1% of native prairie from the early 1800s due to the expansion of agriculture and urban development. Birds that historically relied on prairies for breeding must use alternate vegetative communities to fulfill their needs. Seasonally dewatered wetlands (e.g., moist-soil wetlands) provide vegetation structure similar to grasslands and may provide breeding habitat for birds during the summer when dewatered. I quantified avian use of dewatered moist-soil wetlands in the Illinois River Valley and used environmental variables to predict measures of avian density, avian conservation significance (ACS), nest density, and nest success. Nest densities were greater in grasslands (0.13 nests/ha, SE = 0.02) than in moist-soil wetlands (0.09 nests/ha, SE = 0.01), but habitat did not have a strong effect on avian density (grassland �� = 13.5 birds/ha, SE = 3.5; moist-soil wetland �� = 10.2 birds/ha, SE = 1.1) or ACS (grassland �� = 218.6, SE = 27.8; moist-soil wetland �� = 214.2, SE = 15.9). The percent cover of woody vegetation had a positive relationship with ACS, and the percent cover of forbs had a negative relationship with avian density. Sites that were disconnected from the river had greater avian conservation significance than partially connected sites. Wetland size and the proximity to the Illinois River were poor predictors of nest density. I observed many grassland birds using moist-soil wetlands, including nesting dickcissels (Spiza americana, a generalist-grassland nester) and grasshopper sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum, an obligate-grassland nester). I also observed the state endangered northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), common gallinule (Gallinula galaeta), and Forster's tern (Sterna forsteri) in moist-soil wetlands. Dewatered moist-soil wetlands provide useful breeding habitat for grassland birds, but wetlands that are partially connected to the Illinois River pose a risk to nesting birds if they are flooded during the breeding season. I recommend that moist-soil managers conduct a mid-season or late drawdown of wetlands that are at a high risk of flooding to avoid creating an ecological trap for breeding birds. In moist-soil wetlands that are disconnected from the Illinois River and less likely to flood, I recommend an early drawdown to allow moist-soil vegetation to grow and provide habitat for grassland birds.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Finch, Kristen Marie"],"institution":"University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign","degree_name":"M.S.","degree_level":"Thesis","degree_discipline":"Natural Res & Env Sciences","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Benson, Thomas J.","Hagy, Heath M."],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2016,"date_issued":"2016-11-10T18:38:56Z","date_published":"2016-11-10T18:38:56Z","updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:26:35Z","subjects":["avian density","Grassland birds","moist-soil wetlands","nest success","conservation significance","Illinois"],"languages":["en"],"rights":["Copyright 2016 Kristen Finch"],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"http://hdl.handle.net/2142/92987","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Benson, Thomas J.","Hagy, Heath M."]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Finch, Kristen Marie"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date","label":"Dc Date","values":["2016-11-10T18:38:56Z","2018-11-11T10:15:11Z","2016-07-22","2016-08"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["text"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Natural Res & Env Sciences"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["M.S."]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["avian density","Grassland birds","moist-soil wetlands","nest success","conservation significance","Illinois"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language","label":"Dc Language","values":["en"]},{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["Copyright 2016 Kristen Finch"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["http://hdl.handle.net/2142/92987"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description","label":"Description","values":["Many species of breeding birds are declining in the United States, and grassland birds are among those experiencing the steepest declines. One of the most widely accepted reasons for decreasing populations is habitat loss. For grassland birds in the midwestern United States during the spring and summer, a major concern is the loss of breeding habitat. Illinois has retained less than 1% of native prairie from the early 1800s due to the expansion of agriculture and urban development. Birds that historically relied on prairies for breeding must use alternate vegetative communities to fulfill their needs. Seasonally dewatered wetlands (e.g., moist-soil wetlands) provide vegetation structure similar to grasslands and may provide breeding habitat for birds during the summer when dewatered. I quantified avian use of dewatered moist-soil wetlands in the Illinois River Valley and used environmental variables to predict measures of avian density, avian conservation significance (ACS), nest density, and nest success. Nest densities were greater in grasslands (0.13 nests/ha, SE = 0.02) than in moist-soil wetlands (0.09 nests/ha, SE = 0.01), but habitat did not have a strong effect on avian density (grassland �� = 13.5 birds/ha, SE = 3.5; moist-soil wetland �� = 10.2 birds/ha, SE = 1.1) or ACS (grassland �� = 218.6, SE = 27.8; moist-soil wetland �� = 214.2, SE = 15.9). The percent cover of woody vegetation had a positive relationship with ACS, and the percent cover of forbs had a negative relationship with avian density. Sites that were disconnected from the river had greater avian conservation significance than partially connected sites. Wetland size and the proximity to the Illinois River were poor predictors of nest density. I observed many grassland birds using moist-soil wetlands, including nesting dickcissels (Spiza americana, a generalist-grassland nester) and grasshopper sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum, an obligate-grassland nester). I also observed the state endangered northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), common gallinule (Gallinula galaeta), and Forster's tern (Sterna forsteri) in moist-soil wetlands. Dewatered moist-soil wetlands provide useful breeding habitat for grassland birds, but wetlands that are partially connected to the Illinois River pose a risk to nesting birds if they are flooded during the breeding season. I recommend that moist-soil managers conduct a mid-season or late drawdown of wetlands that are at a high risk of flooding to avoid creating an ecological trap for breeding birds. In moist-soil wetlands that are disconnected from the Illinois River and less likely to flood, I recommend an early drawdown to allow moist-soil vegetation to grow and provide habitat for grassland birds.","Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'U of I Access', the embargo will last until 2018-08-01","The student, Kristen Finch, accepted the attached license on 2016-07-22 at 14:49.","The student, Kristen Finch, submitted this Thesis for approval on 2016-07-22 at 15:05.","This Thesis was approved for publication on 2016-07-22 at 15:46.","DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #10080 on 2016-11-10 at 12:27:57","Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-10T18:38:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 FINCH-THESIS-2016.pdf: 717049 bytes, checksum: 039aec98f73a0186e501338bf7aef10d (MD5) LICENSE.txt: 4210 bytes, checksum: 41f91b45bfc080dee2151de6ea873628 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-22","Embargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 95409 Lift date: 2018-11-10T18:39:22Z Reason: Author requested U of Illinois access only (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD system","Embargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 95409 Lift date: 2018-11-10T18:43:22Z Reason: Author requested U of Illinois access only (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD system","U of I Only Restriction Lifted for Item 95409 on 2018-11-11T10:15:11Z."]},{"key":"dc:format","label":"Dc Format","values":["application/pdf"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Grassland and breeding bird use of moist-soil wetlands managed for waterfowl"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Benson, Thomas J.","Hagy, Heath M."],"dc:creator":["Finch, Kristen Marie"],"dc:date":["2016-11-10T18:38:56Z","2018-11-11T10:15:11Z","2016-07-22","2016-08"],"dc:description":["Many species of breeding birds are declining in the United States, and grassland birds are among those experiencing the steepest declines. One of the most widely accepted reasons for decreasing populations is habitat loss. For grassland birds in the midwestern United States during the spring and summer, a major concern is the loss of breeding habitat. Illinois has retained less than 1% of native prairie from the early 1800s due to the expansion of agriculture and urban development. Birds that historically relied on prairies for breeding must use alternate vegetative communities to fulfill their needs. Seasonally dewatered wetlands (e.g., moist-soil wetlands) provide vegetation structure similar to grasslands and may provide breeding habitat for birds during the summer when dewatered. I quantified avian use of dewatered moist-soil wetlands in the Illinois River Valley and used environmental variables to predict measures of avian density, avian conservation significance (ACS), nest density, and nest success. Nest densities were greater in grasslands (0.13 nests/ha, SE = 0.02) than in moist-soil wetlands (0.09 nests/ha, SE = 0.01), but habitat did not have a strong effect on avian density (grassland �� = 13.5 birds/ha, SE = 3.5; moist-soil wetland �� = 10.2 birds/ha, SE = 1.1) or ACS (grassland �� = 218.6, SE = 27.8; moist-soil wetland �� = 214.2, SE = 15.9). The percent cover of woody vegetation had a positive relationship with ACS, and the percent cover of forbs had a negative relationship with avian density. Sites that were disconnected from the river had greater avian conservation significance than partially connected sites. Wetland size and the proximity to the Illinois River were poor predictors of nest density. I observed many grassland birds using moist-soil wetlands, including nesting dickcissels (Spiza americana, a generalist-grassland nester) and grasshopper sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum, an obligate-grassland nester). I also observed the state endangered northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), common gallinule (Gallinula galaeta), and Forster's tern (Sterna forsteri) in moist-soil wetlands. Dewatered moist-soil wetlands provide useful breeding habitat for grassland birds, but wetlands that are partially connected to the Illinois River pose a risk to nesting birds if they are flooded during the breeding season. I recommend that moist-soil managers conduct a mid-season or late drawdown of wetlands that are at a high risk of flooding to avoid creating an ecological trap for breeding birds. In moist-soil wetlands that are disconnected from the Illinois River and less likely to flood, I recommend an early drawdown to allow moist-soil vegetation to grow and provide habitat for grassland birds.","Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'U of I Access', the embargo will last until 2018-08-01","The student, Kristen Finch, accepted the attached license on 2016-07-22 at 14:49.","The student, Kristen Finch, submitted this Thesis for approval on 2016-07-22 at 15:05.","This Thesis was approved for publication on 2016-07-22 at 15:46.","DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #10080 on 2016-11-10 at 12:27:57","Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-10T18:38:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 FINCH-THESIS-2016.pdf: 717049 bytes, checksum: 039aec98f73a0186e501338bf7aef10d (MD5) LICENSE.txt: 4210 bytes, checksum: 41f91b45bfc080dee2151de6ea873628 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-22","Embargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 95409 Lift date: 2018-11-10T18:39:22Z Reason: Author requested U of Illinois access only (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD system","Embargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 95409 Lift date: 2018-11-10T18:43:22Z Reason: Author requested U of Illinois access only (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD system","U of I Only Restriction Lifted for Item 95409 on 2018-11-11T10:15:11Z."],"dc:format":["application/pdf"],"dc:identifier":["http://hdl.handle.net/2142/92987"],"dc:language":["en"],"dc:rights":["Copyright 2016 Kristen Finch"],"dc:subject":["avian density","Grassland birds","moist-soil wetlands","nest success","conservation significance","Illinois"],"dc:title":["Grassland and breeding bird use of moist-soil wetlands managed for waterfowl"],"dc:type":["text"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Natural Res & Env Sciences"],"thesis:degree_level":["Thesis"],"thesis:degree_name":["M.S."],"thesis:institution_name":["University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:26:35Z"}