DOI: 10.5061/dryad.jt862g8
title: Data from: Finer-scale habitat predicts nest survival in grassland birds more than management and landscape: a multi-scale perspective

description: 1. Birds may respond to habitat at multiple scales, ranging from
 microhabitat structure to landscape composition. North American grassland
 bird distributions predominantly reside on private lands, and populations
 have been consistently declining. Many of these lands are enrolled in U.S.
 federal conservation programmes, and properly guided management policies
 could alleviate declines. However, more evaluative research is needed on
 the effects of management policies juxtaposed with other multi-scale
 habitat features. Furthermore, research focused on nest survival is
 arguably more valuable because habitat associations with avian densities
 can sometimes be deceptive. 2. We investigated nest survival of a
 grassland facultative (red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus) an
 obligate species (dickcissel, Spiza americana), and two nesting
 communities (ground and above-ground nesters) relative to management and
 multi-scale habitat (nest-site characteristics, in-field microhabitat,
 patch metrics, and landscape context). Our study was conducted on private
 lands in Illinois (2011-2014) and directly linked to policy-based
 management (disking, herbicidal spraying, spray/interseeding) and
 landowner decisions. 3. Multi-scale models explained more variation in
 nest survival compared to single scales or management in three of four
 analyses (blackbirds, dickcissels, and above-ground nesters). Finer-scale
 habitat variables, such as nest-site characteristics, were more often in
 top and among the competitive models relative to landscape factors. 4.
 Compared with other management types, disking (i.e. tractor-pulled disc
 harrows removed approximately 50% of vegetation) displayed distinct
 effects and positively influenced nest survival in above-ground nesters.
 Also, greater proportions of a field managed cumulatively and yearly,
 regardless of type, generally improved nest survival for dickcissels and
 above-ground nesters. All groups except above-ground nesters had generally
 higher nest survival in native grass fields. 5. Synthesis and
 applications. Habitat practitioners can improve nest survival for certain
 grassland birds by directly affecting infield-microhabitat vegetation and
 structure. However, characteristics associated with specific nest
 locations often drive nest survival. We suggest habitat managers and
 agency staff promote native grass practices and management, such as
 disking, to enhance nest survival of grassland bird populations.
 Management will likely be most effective in favourable unfragmented
 grassland landscapes with less surrounding forested areas, which also
 promote other important responses (e.g. colonization and persistence) of
 target species.
description: Shew_et_al_2018_Journal_of_Applied_EcologyData package includes: README, text R script, and data files used to analyze daily nest survival of grassland birds in northwestern, Illinois, USA (2011-2014) associated with Conservation Reserve Program management and multi-scale factors.Shew_grassland_bird_nest_survival_data_package.zip