Grassland birds as indicators of the Ecological Recovery of Bison -Dr. Kevin Ellison & Dr. Steve Zack

© WCS

ABS purchased, received, and donated bison. Also bought land & released bison at 7 preserves.

Ecological recovery of the North American bison will occur when multiple large herds of plains and wood bison move freely across extensive landscapes within all major habitats of their historic ranges, interacting in ecologically significant ways with the fullest possible set of other native species, and inspiring, sustaining and connecting human cultures. –ABS Vermejo statement, Sanderson et al : WCS reinvigorated it’s American Bison Society -ecological restoration of bison as wildlife

More bison, more herds

size Since 1990: 20 (30%) new conservation herds

Managers lack experience with bison as bison -Most groups just focused on getting bison -Goals usually relate to how the range ‘looks’ -Wildlife, including bison, require greater scales of habitat J. Rushing

Without a road map, bison can end up in the wrong place H. Waxman

Geography of breeding grassland birds # of species after Mengel 1970

Sings “Koda, pte kizhozho,” i.e., “Friends I whistle for the buffalo” … So that its friends, the Dakotas, might supply their needs of meat and clothing. –Gilmore 1921, Prairie Smoke Meadowlark, bird of promise

Grassland birds = Indicators of structure & scale

Using grassland bird population goals as targets to guide bison restoration

Not all birds are good guides for restoration

US State of the Birds 2009: Of 46 grassland-breeding bird species 48% are of conservation concern 23 spp. w/ data Percentage change

3-10X as many cattle on 20-30% of the range once used by plains bison % that range now in crops

“Manage to the middle” Not grazed enough Not rested enough

Grassland birds = Indicators of structure & scale Acres required: HabitatSpeciesterritorypatch BareMountain Plover Short grassMcCown’s Longspur3-4- Med. grassGrasshopper Sparrow Med. grassC.-collared Longspur Taller grassSprague’s Pipit Taller grassBaird’s Sparrow3-462

In the US: <2% historic habitat suitable for Sprague’s Pipit

Free-ranging grazers produced landscape-level mosaics of large patches of different habitats 500 acres medium tall short

500 acres Landscape-level mosaic of large patches of different habitats Herd grazes an area in March

500 acres Landscape-level mosaic of large patches of different habitats Herd grazes May-June

Landscape-level mosaic of large patches of different habitats 500 acres Areas grazed in July-Aug

Short grass Tall grass Medium grass Modern pastures & inter-fencing

Patch burns at TNC’s Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Oklahoma Shifting-mosaic of habitats on landscape 1 km

Patch burns at TNC’s Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Oklahoma Shifting-mosaic of habitats on landscape

Patch burns at TNC’s Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Oklahoma Shifting-mosaic of habitats on landscape

WCS on-site collaborations 16 sites >600,000 acres Turner Bad River Ranch

1. Partner ranch Assess current conditions Target species & goals 2. Grazer management: Record density, movement, Water presence/use 3. Other management: Fire, weeds, herbicide/mowing 4. Landscape Scale Features: GIS analyses: fragmentation, matrix of habitats/adjacency, structures (e.g., powerlines, turbines) Weather: Drought Precipitation 5. Record ecological interactions (e.g., prairie dogs, nest predators) 6. Measure grassland plant community (composition, structure, productivity) 7. Grassland bird responses: Measure density & productivity Adaptive management cycle:

Monitor initial conditions vegetation & birds Make management recommendations Measure grassland bird responses: Density/productivity

Common recommendations & findings: TNC’s Ordway Preserve 8,000 acres

Common recommendations & findings: -overcome fences! -context -complementarity -cluster for scale

US NPS wallows plant heterogeneity wool for nesting birds & mammals 2. Lag of impact in processes associated with bison hoof action seed disperser nutrient source cowbird associate

Monitoring grassland birds & habitat to: -guide bison restoration -enhance wildlife-friendly cattle grazing -promote sustainable grazing -refine projects reseeding & restoring grasslands -apply technologies to target these efforts both north and south -methods facilitate common metrics and adaptive learning toward exportable practices

0.6g 2 x.5cm Geolocators to study migration Chestnut-collared Longspur with geolocator Sprague’s Pipit

0.6g 2 x.5cm Geolocators to study migration

Key Partners: FederalState/Provincial USDA/NRCSMontana Bird Conservation Partnership National Park ServiceMT NRCS & BLM USFWS& USGSUniversities of Montana, Manitoba, Calgary TribalNGO Blackfoot Confederacy World Wildlife Fund-US Private American Prairie Foundation 777 Ranch The Nature Conservancy -CO, ND, SD, MT Durham RanchNature Conservancy Canada -SK, AB Turner Enterprises American Bison Society Wild Idea Buffalo Ranch Linden Trust for Conservation Denver Zoological Foundation