The effects of the reintroduction of native grasses on native bird populations in West Texas

• In Event: Poster Presentation and Judging for: Anthropology; Botany; Conservation Ecology; Environmental Science; Freshwater Science; Geosciences; Mathematics & Computer Science; Neuroscience; Physics & Eng; Science Education; Terrestrial Ecology & Management.
  In Poster Session: Conservation Ecology Poster Session

Abstract

West Texas grasslands contain a variety of grass species both native and non-native as a result of agriculture and land clearing. These include such native grasses as: Side Oats Gramma (Bouteloua curtipendula), Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and Indian Switchgrass (Sorghastrum nutans), and non-native grasses such as: Buffalo Grass (Bouteloua dactyloides). All of these grasses provide habitat and foraging opportunities for multiple avian species. We believe that the reintroduction of native grasses in West Texas, will have a positive impact on the native birds that nest and feed there compared to the non-native grassland habitats. Using sound recorders and visual observations we will compare and record avian species living in West Texas grasslands, and identify differences in population sizes and species in the Runnels County, Texas area.

Authors

• Francisco Alberto Velasco, Hardin Simmons University

• Bryson Holcomb, Hardin Simmons University

• Corrender Taylor, Hardin Simmons University

• Wendi K Wolfram, Hardin-Simmons University