10.5061/DRYAD.K44303C
Conkling, Tara J.
Mississippi State University
Belant, Jerrold L.
Mississippi State University
DeVault, Travis L.
University of Georgia
Martin, James A.
University of Georgia
Data from: Impacts of biomass production at civil airports on grassland
bird conservation and aviation strike risk
Dryad
dataset
2018
aviation risk
grassland birds
Panicum virgatum
bird strike
2018-02-27T16:17:54Z
2018-02-27T16:17:54Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.1716
249805 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Growing concerns about climate change, foreign oil dependency, and
environmental quality have fostered interest in perennial native grasses
(e.g. switchgrass [Panicum virgatum]) for bioenergy production while also
maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem function. However, biomass
cultivation in marginal landscapes such as airport grasslands may have
detrimental effects on aviation safety as well as conservation efforts for
grassland birds. In 2011–2013 we investigated effects of vegetation
composition and harvest frequency on seasonal species richness and habitat
use of grassland birds and modeled relative abundance, aviation risk, and
conservation value of birds associated with biomass crops. Avian relative
abundance was greater in switchgrass monoculture plots during the winter
months, whereas Native Warm-Season Grass (NWSG) mixed species plantings
were favored by species during the breeding season. Conversely, treatment
differences in aviation risk and conservation value were not biologically
significant. Only 2.6% of observations included avian species of high
hazard to aircraft, providing support for semi-natural grasslands as a
feasible landcover option at civil airports. Additionally, varied harvest
frequencies across a mosaic of switchgrass monocultures and NWSG plots
allows for biomass production with multiple vegetation structure options
for grassland birds to increase seasonal avian biodiversity and habitat
use.
Data VariablesThis file lists and describes all the variables used in the
final analysis.Data_variables_Conkling et al.rtfSpeciesDataData on
species, aviation hazard score, estimated hazard rating, PIF Conservation
Value, season, and mean individuals/10ha surveyed by year in Clay Co.
Mississippi, USA (2011-2013). An explanation of the variables is included
in the supplementary file "Data_variables_Conkling et
al.rtf".NMDS_SpeciesDataData on plot, season, treatment, year, survey
area, species, and mean individuals/10ha surveyed in Clay Co. Mississippi,
USA (2011-2013) used for NMDS analyses. An explanation of the variables is
included in the supplementary file "Data_variables_Conkling et
al.rtf".NMDS_VisObstructDataData on plot, season, and mean vegetation
visual obstruction (cm) by year collected in Clay Co. Mississippi, USA
(2011-2013) used for NMDS analyses. An explanation of the variables is
included in the supplementary file "Data_variables_Conkling et
al.rtf".VisObstructData_SeasonTrtYearData on season, treatment, and
mean and 95% CIs for vegetation visual obstruction (cm) by year collected
in Clay Co. Mississippi, USA (2011-2013) used for NMDS analyses. An
explanation of the variables is included in the supplementary file
"Data_variables_Conkling et al.rtf".ModelDataData on season,
treatment, year, survey area, mean vegetation visual obstruction, relative
density, weighted hazard scores, and weighted conservation values for
avian species across all treatments by season in Clay Co. Mississippi, USA
(2011-2013). An explanation of the variables is included in the
supplementary file "Data_variables_Conkling et al.rtf".
Mississippi
Southeastern United States