![]() Fragmentation of habitat areas is a factor in the decline as well. Native animals do not eat these plants, so they spread even more, and the animals have less to eat. Invasive plants take over remaining space, grow faster than native plants, and inhibit the growth of native plants. Since then we have turned farmland into industrial or residential areas, paving over much land entirely, changing and redirecting the amounts of water available. 40 years ago, there were more pastures and fields that birds found acceptable. Plowing the grasslands for crops, then planting one kind of crop (such as corn) in large areas, creates less diversity, food and shelter. ![]() Loss of habitat has lead to decline of grasslands bird populations by 60 to 80% in the last 40 years, according to the Audubon Society’s recent list of Top 20 Birds in Decline. This Field Sparrow will perch on a waving grass stem to look around, then drop down into invisibility. Native grasses growing in clumps allow these ground runners to escape through passages between the clumps. Nest predation and destruction, coupled with loss of habitat, are causing grassland bird populations to drop without a good chance of recovery.Īfter leaving the nest, and later in the life cycle, grasses provide these birds with cover and protection from prey as they often do not fly from a predator, but run through the grasses to escape danger. Grassland birds nest on the ground rather than in trees, using the structure provided by grasses both for the construction of the nest and as cover from predators. Ground nesting behaviour leaves grassland birds vulnerable to disturbances such as mowing or haying during the breeding season. These birds eat a variety of foods found in the grasses ranging from grass seeds to crickets, grasshoppers and worms and in the case of grassland raptors, such as the Northern Harrier and Short-eared Owl, small mammals such as meadow voles, small birds, and even small reptiles and amphibians. Grassland birds adapted to these areas, and cannot live elsewhere. Thus, over the long term, planting native grasses and wildflowers can reduce maintenance costs. Because many native grasses are adapted to survive in almost any soil conditions, they require no fertilizer or irrigation after planting. They also recover quickly after fire or drought. Most native grass species develop a strong root system that contributes to an increase in soil fertility, recycling nutrients while alive and returning vital nutrients to the soil as the roots decompose. Native grass communities provide other environmental benefits, including filtering sediments and chemicals from runoff, dispersing water flow, and reducing erosion. Native grasses include Indian grass, little and big bluestem, prairie dropseed, and side-oats grama. We plant fescue and bluegrass in our yards, but bluegrass came from England. Most of the grass we see today is not native. Farms and communities soon began to cover the area. They soon found the soil to be some of the best that they had encountered. ![]() ![]() Originally the pioneers thought the treeless grasslands infertile because of the lack of forestation. Settlers found the treeless areas easy to cultivate. These herds came to the Barrens and multiplied, providing food and clothing for the Indians. Buffalo herds migrated eastward across the Mississippi to Illinois, and then to Kentucky. These fires created an open savanna that in turn drew all types of wild game to feed off its lush grasses. The Indians had repeatedly burned the forests that once covered the region as a means to stampede and kill big game. Early settlers found vast forests, except in south-central and western Kentucky, where they rode for days on horseback without being able to see over the top of the grass. Kentucky’s native grasslands have almost disappeared by the 21st Century, but it is important to restore and protect these areas.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |