VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS AnD GRASSLAnD PASSERInE USE OF COnSERVATIOn PLAnTInGS In EASTERn SOUTH DAKOTA

Vegetative characteristics and grassland passerine use of conservation plantings were studied in eastern South Dakota Game Production Areas, June 2007-2008. Fourteen fields, from 1 to 8 years old at the onset of the study, were surveyed in each year to describe vegetative characteristics and to correlate grassland passerine use. Sites had been planted to a mixture of 5 native warm-season grasses, 3 cool-season grasses, and alfalfa. Grassland passerines were sampled along fixed width transects during June 2007-2008. Vegetation was sampled at 7 points along each of 3 parallel transects within the bird sampling transects. Younger plantings had lower height and percent canopy cover of dead vegetation, greater litter depth, higher coverage of alfalfa and unplanted forbs, and more bare ground than older plantings. Nonmetric multi-dimensional scaling based upon vegetative characteristics showed that sites tended to become more similar with age. A total of fifteen bird species were identified along transects in each year. Six species showed a relationship between abundance and the measured vegetation structure and composition variables. Although research showed that grassland passerines use these plantings, more research is needed to determine nest success of passerines to determine the true conservation value of these plantings and associated management practices.