Using quail as indicators of chihuahuan desert grassland ecosystem health

This study will be conducted on ranchlands within south-central New Mexico and the Trans-Pecos region of Texas on which we already have pre-existing quail research being conducted. We will compared quail abundance (estimated using pointing dogs and flush surveys) and diet (determined from crop samples) across species, treatments (grazed vs ungrazed), and seasons (fall, winter, spring, summer) using multivariate analyses of variance. We will then use resource selection function models as a predictive tool for future habitat needs and/or to predict population changes resulting from increasing or decreasing commercial livestock production in the Chihuahuan Desert. These models will further our understanding of the population status of these three desert quail species, and will highlight habitat partitioning between the species in addition to quantifying their respective habitat needs. This study will compliment and expand already existing research being conducted by the Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University. In addition to the partnership between the Borderlands Research Institute and Sul Ross State University, this project will improve partnership capacities with the Bureau of Land Management, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, US Fish and Wildlife Service, NRCS, Quail Forever, Southern New Mexico Safari Club International, National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Texas Quail Coalition.
Source: Grants.gov - Category: Research Tags: Natural Resources Source Type: funding