Use of Spatial Applications in Setting Bird Conservation Priorities
in Northeastern Kansas
Ken Brunson
Wildlife Diversity Coordinator
KDWP
8-11-09
Slides-13-14. The
geographic unit chosen is the HUC 10. This is a hydrological unit that translates into 362 large watersheds
for the state. Slides-18-19. The
similar situation exists for Baird’s Sparrow which also is only a migratory
species and may not nest in the state. Slide-23. A
distributional map for Sprague’s Pipit will be attempted. More detailed distribution information for Sprague’s Pipit
could help give more backing to defining Conservation Opportunity Areas.
Slide-1. This
presentation describes the use of GIS layers of occurrence data for sensitive
species for assigning priority geographic areas (Conservation Opportunity
Areas)
Slide-2. State
Wildlife Grants applies priorities in “A Future for Kansas Wildlife” for funding conservation efforts and
projects
Slide-3. A Future for
Kansas Wildlife identifies priority species and habitats within each of the
three major Bird Conservation Region (BCR) areas
Slide-4. The BCR
Tallgrass Prairie Region (22) covers the eastern third of Kansas
Slide-5. There are 12
Tier I (top echelon) bird species in this habitat region for Kansas
Slides-6-11. Of the
top 6 bird species, this application has so far been able to apply GIS layers
for distributions for Henslow’s Sparrow, Baird’s Sparrow, and Greater Prairie
Chicken
Slide-12. Current
efforts are being made to develop GIS layers for all 12 if possible or as
applicable
Slide-15. There are
132 HUC 10 areas in the BCR Tallgrass Region for Kansas.
Slides-16-17. Refinement
of Henslow’s Sparrow priority areas through this method is not very
detailed. Preferred habitat
descriptions may be more useful.
Slide-20. Loggerhead
shrike has a very general distribution but low numbers
Slide-21. Greater
prairie chickens represent the fourth highest ranked bird species but a species
of particular importance due to current wind power and other fragmentation
issues.
Slide-22. The range
of Greater Prairie Chickens is quite broad and throughout the Flint Hills. This illustrates just the portion of the main range in
the Tallgrass Prairie BCR region.
Slide-24. Bobolink
has definitive nesting areas and therefore useful for helping to define more
important COAs.
Slide-25. We have
relatively good distributional information for these three mammal species.
Slide-26. We have
excellent distributional information for each of the top three SGCN species for
amphibians and for reptiles.
Slide-27. We can
portray distributional information (via HUC 10s) for Prairie mole cricket and
American Burying beetle along with the Virile crayfish.
Slide-28. Based on
the combination of the top SGCN for those bird species identified along with
the remaining other top species for the other taxa groups, we can identify the
top HUC10 priority areas (darkest shaded)
Slide-29. Research
indicates that management strategies that favor a mosaic of varying structural
components of the Tallgrass prairie are generally best for most of our top SGCN
and focusing largely on Henslow’s Sparrow and Greater Prairie Chicken life
requirements.
Slide-30. Annual
burning and intensive grazing over broad landscapes in the Flint Hills reduce
“old growth” prairie and a mosaic pattern, therefore, diminishing preferred
habitats for Henslow’s Sparrow and Greater Prairie Chicken.
Slide-31. Haying
practices can turn excellent Henslow’s Sparrow and Greater Prairie Chicken
habitat into unusable areas, particularly for sustaining young of year bird
broods.
Slide-32. A mosaic
that may include some shrubby habitat is alright for Henslow’s Sparrows
although battling woody encroachment into prairie seems to be the priority for
a number of reasons.
Slide-33 Old growth and mosaic patterns supply a much more diverse
habitat and food supply with bountiful insects for young birds.
Slide-34. Classic
Henslow’s Sparrow habitat.
