Jeanne C. Jones

Habitat use by cottontail rabbits across multiple spatial scales in Mississippi

Relative importance of different land-cover types is often inferred from studies of habitat selection in the context of availability. From 1 February 1997 to 31 January 1999, we examined seasonal (breeding and nonbreeding) habitat selection of cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) in an agricultural landscape in east-central Mississippi at multiple spatial scales (second-, third-, and fourth-order habitat selection; Johnson 1980). We characterized available land-cover types as woody, rowcrop, or grass. The composition of seasonal rabbit home ranges (95% Adaptive Kernel [HR]) and core areas (50% Adaptive Kernel [CA]; second-order selection) exhibited selection for grass patches, followed by woody and rowcrop patches. However, genders differed across diel periods for the composition of HR. Males selected woody patches during diurnal hours, and females selected grassy patches, whereas they both selected grassy patches during the nocturnal hours. Within HR, allocation of time among habitats (third-order selection) differed between seasons and genders. Males selected grass patches followed by woody and rowcrop during the breeding season, and females used them in proportion to availability, whereas they both used them in proportion during the nonbreeding season. Genders used HR land-cover types in proportion to availability for both diel periods. Two predictive models of fourth-order selection poorly discriminated (56.9% and 60.7%) between used and random locations. Cottontails exhibited habitat selection at the HR (second-order) and males at the patch scale (third-order); however, cottontails randomly used within a patch (fourth-order). Our results support the characterization of cottontails as vegetative community generalists at the patch scale (fourth-order); however, cottontails select among land-cover types at larger spatial scales (second- and third-order).

Habitat associations of gopher tortoise burrows on industrial timberlands

Abstract The western population of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1987 due to extensive population declines. Declines have been linked to site conversion of native pine (Pinus spp.) forests for urban development, agriculture, and commercial forest management. We conducted surveys to detect tortoise burrows on corporate timberlands in southern Mississippi and southwestern Alabama during summer 1994. We surveyed 2,759 0.5-ha strip transects on soil types of 9 different suitability categories for gopher tortoises. We found 460 active and 264 abandoned burrows on the 1,380 ha surveyed. Edaphic and vegetative conditions, such as sandy soils and total and midstory canopy coverage, influenced gopher tortoise occurrence. Logistic regression analyses revealed that active burrow occurrence was related positively to deep, sandy soils and related negatively to total canopy closure and fine loam soils with limited sand content. Abandoned burrow occurrence was related positively to increasing midstory canopy closure and selected soil types. Sandy soils and open over-story canopy that created favorable burrowing, nesting, and foraging conditions were important influences in active burrow occurrence. Vegetation management techniques, such as prescribed fire, midstory control, and intermediate forest stand thinning, are recommended on gopher tortoise conservation areas and connective corridor habitats on commercial timberlands. We theorize that restoration of longleaf pine (P. palustris) forests on sandy ridges can produce desirable core habitats and dispersal corridors for gopher tortoises in landscapes dominated by intensively managed pine plantations.

Selected Non-native Plants of Rights-of-Ways (ROWs) in the Southeastern United States and Associated Impacts

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the characteristics and management of three genera of beneficial non-native plants and four species of invasive non-native plants. Over thirty species of non-native, herbaceous and semi-woody plants may be present on road, pipeline, and utility rights-of-way (ROWs) in the southeastern United States. The ecological and economic impacts of these species vary depending on vegetation competition and colonization trends, wildlife food and cover value, and livestock forage value. Some plants, such as annual lespedezas and clovers, are non-native species that are naturalized in southeastern habitats. These plants have value for livestock and wildlife forage, soil stabilization, and soil-quality enhancement with limited negative impacts to natural communities. Some species, such as sericea lespedeza and tall fescue, were originally planted for soil stabilization, but these species have limited value for most species of wildlife and can limit native plant diversity. Of greatest concern are the highly invasive introduced plants, such as cogongrass and kudzu. Originally introduced through intentional planting in some areas, these species are now established in dense colonies on thousands of hectares of ROWs. After establishment, these species limit native biological diversity, degrade wildlife habitat quality, and reduce property values. Colonization studies indicate that cogongrass spread is enhanced by management that creates bare soil and transfers vegetative propagules to new sites. Because of the life strategies of many non-native invasive species, newly constructed and maintained ROWs can serve as corridors for dispersal of these species. Early detection and integrated pest management are important in the cost-effective control of invasive perennial plants.

Evaluation of Mowing Frequency on Right-of-Way Plant Communities in Mississippi

Abstract Native grasses and native wildflowers are declining, especially along roadside right-of-ways because of intensive mowing and herbicide management practices. Roadside right-of-ways undergo regular disturbances such as mowing, maintenance, and road developments that affect soils, groundwater, surface hydrology, and vegetation composition. We investigated species richness and percent coverage within plant communities along highway right-of-ways to determine if reduced mowing increased native plant coverage. The study was conducted using 10 research plots situated along Highway 25 in Oktibbeha and Winston counties, Mississippi. Each research plot consisted of three different treatments as follows: one that included greater than four mowings per year, one mowing only in fall, and one mowing only in fall with a supplemental native wildflower seeding. Using line transect sampling, we detected 277 plant species, which included native and nonnative forbs, legumes, grasses, rushes, sedges, and woody perenn...

Breeding Bird Relationships to Landscape Metrics in Coastal Plain Georgia

Some avian species in the southeastern United States are declining, and population decreases may arise from changes in vegetation type area or structural condition. Our objective was to compare abundance of conservation priority bird species with landscape variables. We found, even in the highly forested Coastal Plain of Georgia, that areal extent and core area of cover types were related to abundance for certain bird species. Acadian flycatcher and field sparrow had models that incorporated positive area variables. Downy woodpecker, northern parula, orchard oriole, prairie warbler, and summer tanager had models that included positive area and edge associations with varying scales and vegetation types. Edge appeared in models for red-bellied woodpecker, blue jay, and brown-headed cowbird. More than half of all species did not have models that met prediction thresholds. Systematic assessment of area requirements for declining species provides information for management, conservation, and research.