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Marcus A. Lashley - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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vegetation characteristics influence fine scale intensity of habitat use by Wild Turkey and white tailed deer in a loblolly pine plantation
Basic and Applied Ecology, 2020Co-Authors: Donald P Chance, Marcus A. Lashley, Johannah R Mccollum, Garrett M Street, Bronson K StricklandAbstract:Abstract Habitat quality is often evaluated based on food availability. However, ecological theory suggests cover should be a more important decision rule when food is not a proximate threat to fitness, as cover mediates predation risk as well as other important factors of fitness. In reality, vegetation characteristics related to food availability and cover are rarely coupled with animal use in the same space and time to determine their relative influences on habitat use. Using an array of 81 camera traps in a matrix of forest management strategies used to deliberately cause a wide disparity in vegetation characteristics, we monitored intensity of use by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). We measured vegetation characteristics related to food and cover at each camera trap location then used a generalized additive model to determine how vegetation characteristics specific to the location affected intensity of habitat use by animals at the location. Consistent among both species, cover best explained intensity of habitat use. Contrastingly, food did not explain intensity of habitat use well for either species. Some vegetation simultaneously provides cover and food, and our data indicate that areas with vegetation characteristics providing both resources had the greatest influence on intensity of habitat use by both species. Our results suggest deer and Turkey may perceive cover as a more important habitat component when food is not a proximate fitness threat.
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Eastern Wild Turkey Roost-Site Selection in a Fire-Maintained Longleaf Pine Ecosystem
Southeastern Naturalist, 2018Co-Authors: Indrani Sasmal, Bret A. Collier, Eric L. Kilburg, Christopher S. Deperno, M. Colter Chitwood, Marcus A. Lashley, Christopher E. MoormanAbstract:Abstract Night-time roosting in Meleagris gallopavo (Wild Turkey) is a quotidian activity that minimizes vulnerability to predators and weather. Roost-site selection in managed Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine) communities is poorly documented. We assessed roost-site selection by comparing use and availability of vegetation types at the individual female Wild Turkey home-range level. We monitored 14 Wild Turkeys from February 2011 to June 2012. The Wild Turkeys did not use vegetation types within the estimated home ranges for roosting in proportion to availability (χ2 = 601.696, P < 0.001). Female Wild Turkeys roosted in the upland Longleaf Pine in proportion to availability, selected for lowland hardwood, and avoided upland hardwood patches. We documented that roost-site availability is not likely a limiting factor in managed Longleaf Pine forests.
Roger D. Applegate - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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motivations and support for regulations a typology of eastern Wild Turkey hunters
Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 2018Co-Authors: Cristina Watkins, Neelam C Poudyal, Carlotta Caplenor, David A Buehler, Roger D. ApplegateAbstract:To determine the diverse motivations of eastern Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hunters, a self-administered questionnaire was developed and mailed to a sample of 5,000 licensed Turkey hunters in Tennessee (response rate = 36%). A cluster analysis yielded three types of respondents in terms of their hunting motivations: social harvesters (44%), experiential harvesters (22%), and social outdoor enthusiasts (34%). Hunters in these segments were then analyzed to compare their support for various hunting regulations. While 61% of Tennessee eastern Wild Turkey hunters reported to be satisfied with current regulations, harvest-motivated hunters were less receptive to regulations that would limit season lengths or bag limits while socially motivated hunters were more accepting. The hunter groups did not differ in their preference for decentralizing regulations by management zones. Findings from this article may guide Wildlife managers in designing socially acceptable regulations.
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Habitat Use and Survival of Preflight Wild Turkey Broods
Journal of Wildlife Management, 2007Co-Authors: Brian L Spears, Roger D. Applegate, Warren B. Ballard, Mark C. Wallace, Richard S. Phillips, John H. Brunjes, Michael S. Miller, Derrick P. Holdstock, Phillip S. GipsonAbstract:Abstract Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) broods spend the first several days of life on the ground until poult flight capabilities are attained. This is a critical period of Wild Turkey life history, with poult survival ranging from 12% to 52%. We measured vegetation in plots used by Rio Grande Wild Turkey (M. g. intermedia) preflight broods at 4 sites in southwest Kansas and the Texas Panhandle, USA, to determine microhabitat selection for ground roosting and to determine if microhabitat was related to poult survival. Hens selected ground-roost locations with more visual obstruction from multiple observation heights than random sites. Plots surrounding ground roosts had 1) greater visual obstruction; 2) increased tree decay; 3) higher percent grass, shrub, litter, and forb cover; and 4) lower percent bare ground cover than random sites. Grass, shrubs, and downed trees appeared to provide desired cover for ground-roosting broods. Poult survival increased with age of poult, size of brood, and density of ...
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The relationship of Rio Grande Wild Turkey distributions to roads
Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2005Co-Authors: Matthew J. Butler, Mark C. Wallace, Warren B. Ballard, Stephen J. Demaso, Roger D. ApplegateAbstract:Wildlife Society Bulletin 2005, 33(2):745–748 Peer refereed Distance sampling from roads is a common population estimation technique used for many Wildlife species (Brennan and Block 1986, DeYoung and Priebe 1987, Borralho et al. 1996, Dahlheim et al. 2000). A critical assumption of the distance sampling technique is that the distribution of animals is not influenced by the transect, but this assumption may be violated if the transect is a road (Burnham et al. 1980, Buckland et al. 2001, Williams et al. 2001). Attraction of target animals to the transect will result in inflated population estimates, and withdrawal from the transect will bias the estimates low (Verner 1985,Thompson et al. 1998, Buckland et al. 2001). Many authors have suggested line transects should not be positioned along roadways unless individuals are randomly distributed across the landscape (Burnham et al. 1980, Buckland et al. 2001, Williams et al. 2001). Male Rio Grande Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) likely use roads as display sites in south Texas; thus, population surveys using roads should be conducted outside of the breeding season to reduce the probability of Wild Turkeys being attracted to roads (DeYoung and Priebe 1987). Eastern Wild Turkeys (M. g. silvestris) in Virginia used areas >450 m from roads more than expected and areas
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Coyote, Canis latrans - Rio Grande Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo intermedia , Interactions
Canadian Field-Naturalist, 2003Co-Authors: Brian L Spears, Roger D. Applegate, Warren B. Ballard, Mark C. Wallace, Phillip S. GipsonAbstract:Coyotes ( Canis latrans ) are widely known to be predators of Wild Turkeys ( Meleagris gallopauo sspp.). We describe two observations of single Coyotes coming within 10 m of feeding Wild Turkey flocks without attempting to predate them in Stevens County, Kansas. We relate these observations to Coyote predation on Turkeys and mobbing behavior.
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Attitudes of Kansas Wild Turkey Hunters: National Wild Turkey Federation Members Versus Nonmembers
Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 2002Co-Authors: Roger D. Applegate, Philip S. Gipson, Ted T. Cable, Kyle R. Van WhyAbstract:Private not-for-profit organizations have partnered with government agencies to promote Wildlife management. The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), for example, promotes the conservation of the Wild Turkey and the preservation of the hunting heritage. NWTF works with state and provincial Wildlife agencies and provides an opportunity for agencies to contact NWTF members and other constituents regarding management programs. To effectively use this feedback
Olin E. Rhodes - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The Use of Molecular Markers in Wild Turkey Management
2011Co-Authors: Emily K. Latch, Karen E. Mock, Olin E. RhodesAbstract:A variety of genetic markers now are available for use in the management and conservation of Wildlife species. In the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), these markers have been used to address questions at levels ranging from the individual to the subspecies, and with issues ranging from species-wide evolution to forensics. Genetic studies involving translocated populations have provided managers with additional information to consider when designing optimal translocation strategies to maximize growth and long-term stability of such populations. In this paper, we discuss the molecular markers available for Wild Turkeys, and review their applications in Wild Turkey management, including subspecies identification, intraspecific hybridization, domestic introgression, genetic bottlenecks, population structure, gene flow, cryptic behavioral and social patterns, and forensics. Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium 9:33–44
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Verifying the Origins of a Reintroduced Population of Gould’s Wild Turkey
Journal of Wildlife Management, 2011Co-Authors: Karen E. Mock, Olin E. Rhodes, Tad C. Theimer, Brian F. Wakeling, David L. Greenberg, Paul KeimAbstract:The restoration of Wildlife populations to historically occupied ranges is an important goal of modern Wildlife management. In Arizona, USA, efforts have begun to reintroduce the Gould's subspecies of Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana) into its former range in the southeastern part of the state. However, individuals or descendants of the Merriam's subspecies (M. g. merriami) may remain in the reintroduction area from earlier releases and could potentially interbreed with reintroduced Gould's Turkeys. We used 3 fundamentally different genetic markers to determine whether the Wild Turkeys currently occupying the Huachuca Mountains in southeastern Arizona were descended from the Gould's Turkeys translocated'there during the 1980s, or whether interbreeding had occurred with descendants of Merriam's Turkeys from a translocation during 1950. We found consistent genetic differences between relict populations of the Merriam's Turkey in Arizona and the Gould's Turkey in northern Mexico. The Huachuca Mountains Wild Turkey population consistently grouped with the relict Gould's populations and showed no evidence of interbreeding with the Merriam's subspecies. In addition, we found evidence that the Huachuca Mountains population was less genetically diverse than the relict populations, and we recommend that this population be monitored for signs of inbreeding depression. The molecular markers developed for this study are important tools for future management of Wild Turkeys.
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the effects of gene flow and population isolation on the genetic structure of reintroduced Wild Turkey populations are genetic signatures of source populations retained
Conservation Genetics, 2005Co-Authors: Emily K. Latch, Olin E. RhodesAbstract:To counter losses of genetic diversity in reintroduced populations, species sometimes are reintroduced into networks of populations with the potential to exchange individuals. In reintroduced populations connected by gene flow, patterns of genetic structure initiated by the founding event may become obscured, and populations may eventually follow an isolation-by-distance model of genetic differentiation. Taking advantage of well-documented reintroduction histories of Wild Turkey populations in Indiana, we assessed the degree to which gene flow among reintroduced populations has obscured genetic signatures left by the founding events. Using a suite of nuclear microsatellite loci and sequence data from the mitochondrial control region, we characterized the level of genetic diversity and degree of genetic structure within and among: (1) reintroduced populations in isolated northern Indiana Fish and Wildlife Areas, (2) reintroduced populations in southern Indiana Fish and Wildlife Areas, where the distribution of populations is more continuous, and (3) source populations used for these reintroductions. We also utilized individual-based assignment tests to determine the relative contribution of source populations to the current distribution of alleles in reintroduced populations. Our results indicate that Wild Turkey reintroductions in Indiana have left distinct genetic signatures on populations that are detectable even after several decades. Although we found some case-specific evidence for gene flow, particularly in regions where populations are in close proximity, our data indicate on overall paucity of gene flow at a regional scale. Such post-reintroduction genetic monitoring has immediate implications for the design of optimal strategies to reintroduce Wildlife for conservation and management.
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genetic variation across the historical range of the Wild Turkey meleagris gallopavo
Molecular Ecology, 2002Co-Authors: Karen E. Mock, Olin E. Rhodes, Tad C. Theimer, David L. Greenberg, Paul KeimAbstract:Genetic differences within and among naturally occurring populations of Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were characterized across five subspecies' historical ranges using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis, microsatellite loci and mitochondrial control region sequencing. Current subspecific designations based on morphological traits were generally supported by these analyses, with the exception of the eastern (M. g. silvestris) and Florida (M. g. osceola) subspecies, which consistently formed a single unit. The Gould's subspecies was both the most genetically divergent and the least genetically diverse of the subspecies. These genetic patterns were consistent with current and historical patterns of habitat continuity. Merriam's populations showed a positive association between genetic and geographical distance, Rio Grande populations showed a weaker association and the eastern populations showed none, suggesting differing demographic forces at work in these subspecies. We recommend managing Turkeys to maintain subspecies integrity, while recognizing the importance of maintaining regional population structure that may reflect important adaptive variation.
Bret A. Collier - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Reproductive ecology of Gould's Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana) in Arizona
The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 2019Co-Authors: Bret A. Collier, Nathan Fyffe, Alex Smallwood, Brittany Oleson, Nicholas W. Bakner, James R. Heffelfinger, Michael J ChamberlainAbstract:Gould's Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana) are the least-studied subspecies of Wild Turkey. Restoration efforts to establish sustainable populations of the subspecies continue throughout portions of the historical range in New Mexico and Arizona. Wild Turkey population viability is driven by reproductive success, yet information on aspects of the reproductive ecology of Gould's Wild Turkey is either scant or nonexistent. We used GPS telemetry to detail reproductive ecology of 23 females during 2017 in southeastern Arizona. We observed a nest initiation rate of 65% and nest success of 58%. Average estimated date for the onset of laying for initial nests was 17 May, which was later than for other subspecies of Wild Turkey. Estimated clutch size (x = 5.6 eggs) across 14 nests and vegetative characteristics at nests were comparable to nest sites selected by Eastern and Rio Grande subspecies, but did not appear to influence nest fate. Mean size of incubation recess ranges was 21 ha (SD = 99), but was highly variable across individual females and we found no evidence of habitat sampling by female Gould's Wild Turkeys before initiating laying of eggs. Females used open/herbaceous habitats and pine-oak woodlands throughout the reproductive period but type of conditions used varied between the laying, incubation, and brooding period. While based on 1 year of field data, our work represents the only assessment of the reproductive ecology of the Gould's Wild Turkey in the United States and should prompt further investigations into the biology of this iconic southwestern species.
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Eastern Wild Turkey Roost-Site Selection in a Fire-Maintained Longleaf Pine Ecosystem
Southeastern Naturalist, 2018Co-Authors: Indrani Sasmal, Bret A. Collier, Eric L. Kilburg, Christopher S. Deperno, M. Colter Chitwood, Marcus A. Lashley, Christopher E. MoormanAbstract:Abstract Night-time roosting in Meleagris gallopavo (Wild Turkey) is a quotidian activity that minimizes vulnerability to predators and weather. Roost-site selection in managed Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine) communities is poorly documented. We assessed roost-site selection by comparing use and availability of vegetation types at the individual female Wild Turkey home-range level. We monitored 14 Wild Turkeys from February 2011 to June 2012. The Wild Turkeys did not use vegetation types within the estimated home ranges for roosting in proportion to availability (χ2 = 601.696, P < 0.001). Female Wild Turkeys roosted in the upland Longleaf Pine in proportion to availability, selected for lowland hardwood, and avoided upland hardwood patches. We documented that roost-site availability is not likely a limiting factor in managed Longleaf Pine forests.
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Do movement behaviors identify reproductive habitat sampling for Wild Turkeys
Ecology and Evolution, 2016Co-Authors: Mason D. Conley, Michael J Chamberlain, Nathan A. Yeldell, Bret A. CollierAbstract:Selection of habitats has regularly been suggested to influence species demography at both local and broad scales. The expectation is that selection behaviors have positive benefits via greater fitness or increased survival. The current paradigm of habitat selection theory suggests a hierarchical process, where an individual first selects where they choose to live (e.g., range) and then searches and selects locations within this range meeting life history needs. Using high-frequency GPS data collected from reproductively active Rio Grande (n = 21) and Eastern (n = 23) Wild Turkeys, we evaluated a long-standing theory for ground-nesting galliformes, in that movements during the prenesting period are behaviorally focused on sampling available habitats to optimize the selection of nesting sites. Contrary to expectations, we found no evidence that reproductively active females engage in habitat sampling activities. Although most nest sites (>80% for both subspecies) fell within the prenesting range, the average minimum daily distance from nest sites for Rio Grande and Eastern Wild Turkey females was large [1636.04 m (SE = 1523.96) and 1937.42 m (SE = 1267.84), respectively] whereas the average absolute minimum distance from the nest site for both Rio Grande and Eastern Wild Turkey females was 166.46 m (SE = 299.34) and 235.01 m (SE = 337.90), respectively, and showed no clear temporal reduction as laying approached. Overall, predicted probability that any female movements before laying were initiated intersected with her nesting range (area used during incubation) was
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Wild Turkey movements during flooding after opening of the morganza spillway louisiana
Southeastern Naturalist, 2013Co-Authors: Michael J Chamberlain, Kevin L. Skow, Michael E. Byrne, Norman J Stafford, Bret A. CollierAbstract:Abstract The opening of the Morganza Spillway in Louisiana on 18 May 2011 to relieve historic flooding along the lower Mississippi river subsequently inundated thousands of acres of bottomland forest in the Atchafalaya basin. Since 2001, we have conducted Meleagris gallopavo silvestris (Eastern Wild Turkey) population ecology research on the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area, located approximately 30 km south of the Morganza spillway. In expectation of the Morganza spillway opening, between 11 and 14 May, we captured and fitted 5 (1 M, 4 F) adult Eastern Wild Turkeys with µGPS transmitters to monitor Turkey response to basin flooding. By 19 May 2011, our study area was inundated with >3 m of flood waters, and remained completely inundated until 11 June 2011. Via radio-telemetry, we confirmed one female was depredated immediately before flood waters inundated our study site, and one female survived and reached dry ground created by receding water on 16 June. A second female lived 21 days and made circuito...
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Nest site fidelity and dispersal of Rio Grande Wild Turkey hens in Texas
Journal of Wildlife Management, 2012Co-Authors: Shawn L. Locke, Nova J. Silvy, Jason B. Hardin, Kevin L. Skow, Markus J. Peterson, Bret A. CollierAbstract:Rio Grande Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) nests suffer high predation rates exceeding 65%, which may limit recruitment. We evaluated post-nesting movements of reproductively active female Rio Grande Wild Turkeys. We monitored 194 nesting attempts between 2005 and 2010 and documented 17% and 32% overall apparent nest success for the Edwards Plateau and Central Rio Grande Plains study regions, respectively. Rio Grande Wild Turkey hens move approximately 1.2 km (SD ¼ 0.7) between nesting attempts within a nesting season and approximately 1.4 km (SD ¼ 1.6) between initial nesting attempts among years. Rio Grande Wild Turkey hens selected open areas with moderate woody cover for nesting (x ¼ 37.7%; range ¼ 3.0-88.2%). Patchiness of vegetation in the nesting landscape also was borne out by typically low edge-to-area ratios (x ¼ 0.20; range ¼ 0.040-0.732). We found no clear pattern in movement distance and either landscape composition or edge-to-area ratio for within or between breeding season nest site selection for either the Edwards Plateau or Central Rio Grande Plains study region. Based on our results, movement distances post-nest failure do not seem to influence habitat selection. 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Michael J Chamberlain - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Reproductive ecology of Gould's Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana) in Arizona
The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 2019Co-Authors: Bret A. Collier, Nathan Fyffe, Alex Smallwood, Brittany Oleson, Nicholas W. Bakner, James R. Heffelfinger, Michael J ChamberlainAbstract:Gould's Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana) are the least-studied subspecies of Wild Turkey. Restoration efforts to establish sustainable populations of the subspecies continue throughout portions of the historical range in New Mexico and Arizona. Wild Turkey population viability is driven by reproductive success, yet information on aspects of the reproductive ecology of Gould's Wild Turkey is either scant or nonexistent. We used GPS telemetry to detail reproductive ecology of 23 females during 2017 in southeastern Arizona. We observed a nest initiation rate of 65% and nest success of 58%. Average estimated date for the onset of laying for initial nests was 17 May, which was later than for other subspecies of Wild Turkey. Estimated clutch size (x = 5.6 eggs) across 14 nests and vegetative characteristics at nests were comparable to nest sites selected by Eastern and Rio Grande subspecies, but did not appear to influence nest fate. Mean size of incubation recess ranges was 21 ha (SD = 99), but was highly variable across individual females and we found no evidence of habitat sampling by female Gould's Wild Turkeys before initiating laying of eggs. Females used open/herbaceous habitats and pine-oak woodlands throughout the reproductive period but type of conditions used varied between the laying, incubation, and brooding period. While based on 1 year of field data, our work represents the only assessment of the reproductive ecology of the Gould's Wild Turkey in the United States and should prompt further investigations into the biology of this iconic southwestern species.
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Do movement behaviors identify reproductive habitat sampling for Wild Turkeys
Ecology and Evolution, 2016Co-Authors: Mason D. Conley, Michael J Chamberlain, Nathan A. Yeldell, Bret A. CollierAbstract:Selection of habitats has regularly been suggested to influence species demography at both local and broad scales. The expectation is that selection behaviors have positive benefits via greater fitness or increased survival. The current paradigm of habitat selection theory suggests a hierarchical process, where an individual first selects where they choose to live (e.g., range) and then searches and selects locations within this range meeting life history needs. Using high-frequency GPS data collected from reproductively active Rio Grande (n = 21) and Eastern (n = 23) Wild Turkeys, we evaluated a long-standing theory for ground-nesting galliformes, in that movements during the prenesting period are behaviorally focused on sampling available habitats to optimize the selection of nesting sites. Contrary to expectations, we found no evidence that reproductively active females engage in habitat sampling activities. Although most nest sites (>80% for both subspecies) fell within the prenesting range, the average minimum daily distance from nest sites for Rio Grande and Eastern Wild Turkey females was large [1636.04 m (SE = 1523.96) and 1937.42 m (SE = 1267.84), respectively] whereas the average absolute minimum distance from the nest site for both Rio Grande and Eastern Wild Turkey females was 166.46 m (SE = 299.34) and 235.01 m (SE = 337.90), respectively, and showed no clear temporal reduction as laying approached. Overall, predicted probability that any female movements before laying were initiated intersected with her nesting range (area used during incubation) was
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Eastern Wild Turkey nest site selection in two frequently burned pine savannas
Ecological Processes, 2016Co-Authors: Andrew R Little, Michael J Chamberlain, Nathan P. Nibbelink, L. Mike Conner, Robert J WarrenAbstract:Introduction Reproductive success is a critical factor affecting avian demographics and can be influenced by many factors including nesting chronology, predation risk, and fine-scale nest site selection. Methods We modeled the relative influences of habitat-related covariates at six spatial scales (nest site: 15-, 40-, 80-, 120-, 160-, and 200-m radii) on Eastern Wild Turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo silvestris ) nest site selection in two pine savannas managed by frequent prescribed fire (≤3 years) in southwestern Georgia during 2011–2013. Results Nest site (15-m scale) habitat metrics (mean visual obstruction [cm] and canopy closure [%]) had the greatest influence on nest site selection relative to covariates measured at larger spatial scales. Scaled odds ratios suggested that nests were 26.8 % more likely to occur for every 10 cm increase in mean vegetation height with a range of 7.5 to 150.0 cm and 18.5 % less likely to occur for every 10 % increase in canopy closure with a range from 0.0 to 97.8 %. Total ground cover, canopy closure, edge density, and percent land cover type (e.g., mature pine, mixed pine/hardwood, shrub/scrub) had minimal influence on nest site selection. Conclusions Management of pine savannas for Turkey nest sites should focus on creating early-successional vegetation to conceal nests from potential predators. Additionally, we suggest that future studies consider evaluating the influence of spatial scale on Turkey nest site selection.
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eastern Wild Turkey nest site selection in two frequently burned pine savannas
Ecological processes, 2016Co-Authors: Andrew R Little, Michael J Chamberlain, Mike L Conner, Nathan P. Nibbelink, Robert J WarrenAbstract:Reproductive success is a critical factor affecting avian demographics and can be influenced by many factors including nesting chronology, predation risk, and fine-scale nest site selection. We modeled the relative influences of habitat-related covariates at six spatial scales (nest site: 15-, 40-, 80-, 120-, 160-, and 200-m radii) on Eastern Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) nest site selection in two pine savannas managed by frequent prescribed fire (≤3 years) in southwestern Georgia during 2011–2013. Nest site (15-m scale) habitat metrics (mean visual obstruction [cm] and canopy closure [%]) had the greatest influence on nest site selection relative to covariates measured at larger spatial scales. Scaled odds ratios suggested that nests were 26.8 % more likely to occur for every 10 cm increase in mean vegetation height with a range of 7.5 to 150.0 cm and 18.5 % less likely to occur for every 10 % increase in canopy closure with a range from 0.0 to 97.8 %. Total ground cover, canopy closure, edge density, and percent land cover type (e.g., mature pine, mixed pine/hardwood, shrub/scrub) had minimal influence on nest site selection. Management of pine savannas for Turkey nest sites should focus on creating early-successional vegetation to conceal nests from potential predators. Additionally, we suggest that future studies consider evaluating the influence of spatial scale on Turkey nest site selection.
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eastern Wild Turkey reproductive ecology in frequently burned longleaf pine savannas
Forest Ecology and Management, 2014Co-Authors: Andrew R Little, Mary M Streich, Michael J Chamberlain, Mike L Conner, Robert J WarrenAbstract:Abstract Longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris ) savannas are economically and ecologically important throughout the southeastern United States; however, deforestation and other land use changes have led to their decline. Fortunately, natural resource professionals have recognized the importance of restoring these ecologically important forests that support a diversity of native flora and fauna. Although efforts are underway to restore longleaf pine savannas, little information exists on Eastern Wild Turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo silvestris ) reproductive ecology within these systems. Therefore, we used radio telemetry to investigate Eastern Wild Turkey reproductive ecology in 2 longleaf pine-dominated forests in southwestern Georgia during 2011–2013. Forty-two percent of nests ( n = 78) were successful (⩾1 egg hatched) with most nest loss resulting from predation. Five nests were exposed to prescribed fire events (2 were successful; 3 were unsuccessful). Thirty-seven percent of females renested following loss to predation, fire, or other factors. Of these, 43% successfully hatched (⩾1 egg hatched). We monitored 34 broods post-hatch. Of the 34 broods, 11 (32%) survived the 14-day flightless period. Of the remaining 11 broods, 7 (64%) survived the following 2-week period (i.e., days 15–30). One of 34 broods was lost to growing-season prescribed fire during the study. Females frequently selected nest sites in areas at the end of their burn rotation (i.e., prior to the next scheduled burn; x ¯ = 613.7 days since burn for all nests from nest initiation date; SE = 44.7 days). Habitat characteristics at the nest-site and patch-level had little influence on nest survival, suggesting that once a nest site is chosen, nest predation occurs randomly with respect to habitat characteristics. In addition, timing of nest initiation did not significantly improve nest survival. Management of longleaf pine savannas should focus on applying prescribed fire every 1–2 years to maintain native flora communities while enhancing nest and brood cover. Our results also indicate that growing-season prescribed fire has minimal impact on Wild Turkey production.
