Effects of Imazapyr and prescribed fire on vegetation and bird communities in mid-rotation CRP pine plantations of Mississippi

Author

Lindsey Rae Carpenter Singleton

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Burger, Jr. L. Wesley

Committee Member

Jones, C. Jeanne

Committee Member

Riffell, Samuel

Date of Degree

5-3-2008

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Forest Resources

Department

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Abstract

Appropriate management of mid-rotation pine plantations can improve habitat for early successional and pine-grassland adapted avian species. I tested effects of Imazapyr selective herbicide and prescribed fire on plant and avian communities in thinned, mid-rotation pine stands contracted under the Conservation Reserve Program. Within 12 replicate sites, 2 8.1-ha plots were assigned either herbicide and prescribed fire treatment or control. I described components of vegetation structure and composition in 2006. I tested effects of herbicide and prescribed fire treatment on avian relative abundance, species richness, total avian conservation value, and density of select species during 2003 - 2006. Hardwood midstory decreased and abundances of grasses and forbs increased following treatment. A shift occurred in the bird community from closed-canopy forest species to early successional and pine-grassland species. Treatment stands benefited many avian species exhibiting negative population trends.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/15020

Recommended Citation

Singleton, Lindsey Rae Carpenter, "Effects of Imazapyr and prescribed fire on vegetation and bird communities in mid-rotation CRP pine plantations of Mississippi" (2008). Theses and Dissertations. 1754.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/1754