Impact of encroaching woody vegetation on nest success of upland nesting waterfowl

摘要: Grassland managers often regard woody vegetation as hostile habitat that potentially reduces the abundance and fecundity of wildlife use grasslands. We tested assumption for waterfowl by examining patterns nest success on study areas differed in current extent previous management vegetation. located monitored 1,064 nests 33 federally owned Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) western Minnesota during 2008–2010. Sites contained 0.3–15.1% woodland also varied markedly shrubs scattered trees. Average was low (12.9%), but ranged from 1.5% to 38.7% among site-years. Nests were more likely succeed when landscapes containing grass (500-m scale) fewer wetlands (100-m scale), none 8 variables measuring negatively associated with survival 1 variable (abundance lone trees) positively survival. Our results indicate efforts focusing removing are unlikely provide improvements rates breeding waterfowl, except such is necessary maintain large tracts grassland. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.