How management affects grassland birds on conservation reserve program (CRP) fields in northeast Missouri

Many grassland birds are declining rapidly and the management of CRP land could contribute to their recovery and conservation. This study compared burning and mowing of CRP fields with three different types of cover. CRP fields that were burned had more and a higher diversity of birds, but mown fields had a greater proportion of birds that are of conservation concern. Bird abundance and diversity correlated with tall and woody vegetation and forbs. Artificial nests were more likely to survive on burned fields. However, nests with small eggs were at greater risk on burned fields, as was Peromyscus abundance, indicating mice may be important predators. This study supports the advice that most CRP fields should be burned, with long periods between interventions to allow early-successional vegetative growth. However, a diversity of management schemes locally and regionally will provide a diversity of habitats that will support a wider range of species.