Theses and Dissertations
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
Rush, Scott A.
Committee Member
Miller, Darren A.
Committee Member
Hill, JoVonn G.
Committee Member
Evans, Kristine O.
Date of Degree
5-7-2016
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
Wildlife and Fisheries Science
Degree Name
Master of Science
College
College of Forest Resources
Department
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Abstract
Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations are a common land use of the southeastern United States that have the potential to function as a source of cellulosic biomass for biofuel production. A novel land use practice of intercropping switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) between planted loblolly pines has been developed as a potential method of cellulosic biomass production. I evaluated response of arthropods and breeding birds to intercropping switchgrass within loblolly pine plantations compared to typically managed pine plantations. I detected 13 arthropod orders and 44 breeding bird species during 2014 – 2015. Intercropping switchgrass reduced arthropod diversity and evenness, with richness not affected. Arthropod abundance response to intercropping switchgrass varied among orders. Breeding bird species did not respond differently to intercropping switchgrass compared to typically managed pine. Continued assessment is needed to provide greater insight regarding potential effects of this land use practice throughout a rotational period.
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/11668/16599
Recommended Citation
Marshall, Craig Daniel, "Assessment of early successional arthropod and breeding bird response to intercropping switchgrass within an intensively managed loblolly pine forest" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 774.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/774