Marbled godwit habitat selection in the northern prairie region.

M. R. Ryan, R. B. Renken, J. J. Dinsmore

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Limosa fedoa wetland and upland habitat use and selection data from east-central North Dakota demonstrate that godwits frequently used and preferred short, sparse to moderately vegetated sites and open water or bare soil along wetland shorelines. Breeding godwits used semipermanent wetlands most often, but selected ephemeral, alkali, and temporary ponds. Godwits selected territories (mean 0.9 km2) that had greater wetland abundance and more wetland classes than equal-sized, randomly sampled areas. Postbreedng godwits primarily used and preferred flooding livestock feedlots and alkali wetlands. Selected wetlands were dominated by preferred cover types with minimal porportions of tall, dense cover. Marbled godwits preferred native grass pastures, hayfields and idle grasslands, and introduced grass pastures. They strongly avoided intensively tilled land. Breeding godwits frequently used and seemingly preferred shorter (<15 cm) grass areas at upland sites. Postbeeding godwits and broods used and selected slightly taller vegetation (15-60 cm). An appropriate ecosystem level management approach is recommended.-from Authors

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1206-1218
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Wildlife Management
Volume48
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1984
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Ecology
  • Nature and Landscape Conservation

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