Will Conversion of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Lands to Pasture Be Detrimental for Grassland Birds in Kansas

摘要: -The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was established by the 1985 Food Security Act (Farm Bill). Unless renewed, most CRP contracts will expire in 1997 and up to 70% of fields Kansas may be converted pasture. We compared avian use areas with that pasture determine if such conversion would detrimental grassland birds. Data on vegetative structure, abundance, reproductive success were collected five pastures during summer 1993. Pastures had significantly greater cover more bare ground. Vegetation taller late summer. Total abundance dickcissels, grasshopper sparrows, meadowlarks, brown-headed cowbirds upland sandpipers than fields. Reproductive rates nest parasitism brownheaded did not differ between habitats, but nests numerous grazed pastures. If is reauthorized 1995 Farm Bill land currently enrolled pasture, probably bird populations moderately grazed.