Date of Award:
5-1-1974
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Biology
Department name when degree awarded
Wildlife Biology
Committee Chair(s)
Jessop B. Low
Committee
Jessop B. Low
Committee
Lorin Harris
Committee
Arthur Holmgren
Committee
Jack Hooper
Abstract
Waterfowl nesting was studied on the Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area in Box Elder County, Utah, during 1970 and 1971. Ungrazed nesting habitat was studied in 1970 which was subsequently grazed the following winter. Nesting in 1971 was studied on the same area for variations attributable to effects from grazing. During winter 1969-70, cattle were held in pilot plots to study their behavior during winter-grazing on marshlands. Ten plots were grazed at varying rates during winter 1970-71. Warming mid-January weather thawed much of the marsh both years of the study and cattle were restricted to drier sites, resulting in severe impacts on the vegetation and structures on these areas. Vegetation utilization by grazing animals was not uniform on the study plots. Loss of marsh water in 1971 altered nesting, perhaps more so than grazing and 1971 data only were considered for statistical treatment. Waterfowl chose nest sites with taller vegetation than that generally available within the plots (P. 025), and nesting on the plots generally decreased with increasing grazing pressure; however, levels of significance are low due to limited data. Brooding was different both years of the study due to water fluctuation on the marsh. Discussion of grazing practices includes economics, aesthetics, hunter attitudes 9 marsh management, and waterfowl species management. Based on the results from the study, grazing of publicly owned marshlands is not recommended until further research shows grazing to be, beyond a doubt, not detrimental to nesting waterfowl.
Recommended Citation
Hilliard, Mark A., "The Effects of Regulated Livestock Grazing on Waterfowl Production" (1974). Biology. 401.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd_biology/401
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