Oil and natural gas development has mixed effects on the density and reproductive success of grassland songbirds

The condor

Sarah M. Ludlow¹ 

关键词: energy development;    mixed models;    distance effects;    nest survival;    mixed-grass prairie;    crested wheatgrass;    nest predation;    brood parasitism;   

DOI  :  10.1650/CONDOR-14-79.1

学科分类：动物科学

来源: Central Ornithology Publication Office

【 摘 要 】

ABSTRACT Oil and natural gas development has increased dramatically in native grasslands over the past 25 years. Some grassland songbirds are less abundant in areas with oil and gas development, but the effects vary among species and geographically within a species' range. The reproductive consequences of nesting in areas with oil and gas development are unknown. We assessed how the density and reproductive success of five species of grassland songbird in Alberta, Canada, varied with distance to oil and gas wells, gravel roads, and trails, and cover of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), an aggressive alien plant that often becomes established following anthropogenic disturbance. Crested wheatgrass cover had the greatest impact on the grassland songbird community. Sprague's Pipit (Anthus spragueii) nest survival decreased as the amount of crested wheatgrass increased. As crested wheatgrass cover increased from 0% to 60%, density of Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) declined by 50%, but t...

【 授权许可】

CC BY