PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Randy D. Rodgers
AU  - Mark L. Sexson
TI  - Impacts of extensive chemical control of sand sagebrush on breeding birds
DP  - 1990 Jul 01
TA  - Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
PG  - 494--497
VI  - 45
IP  - 4
4099  - http://www.jswconline.org/content/45/4/494.short
4100  - http://www.jswconline.org/content/45/4/494.full
AB  - Breeding bird responses to an extensive sand sagebrush control program in southwest Kansas were evaluated for 5 years after treatment. Surveys conducted in adjacent treated and untreated sand sagebrush prairie pastures indicated that extreme variations in bird diversity and abundance on the treated pasture were associated with sharp annual changes in the herbaceous community during the first 3 years after chemical treatment. A decline in bird diversity and abundance was observed in the fourth and fifth years after treatment, following structural decay of the dead sagebrush. Bobwhites were no longer present on the treated pasture in the fourth year but remained abundant on the control pasture. If avian diversity and abundance is to be maintained, extensive solid-block treatments of sand sagebrush should be avoided.