The Effects of natural Gas Development on Density, Reproductive Success and Nest Survival of Grassland Songbirds in South-Western Saskatchewan

• Main Author: Gaudet, Carolyn Anne
• Other Authors: Brigham, R. Mark, Davis, Stephen K., Somers, Christopher, Clark, Robert G.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina 2013
• Subjects: Songbirds > Effect of pollution on > Saskatchewan; Songbirds > Saskatchewan; Bird populations > Saskatchewan; Animal population density > Saskatchewan; Songbirds > Saskatchewan > Reproduction; Songbirds > Nests > Saskatchewan; Natural gas > Environmental aspects > Saskatchewan; Eremophila alpestris
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10294/5301; http://ourspace.uregina.ca/bitstream/handle/10294/5301/Gaudet_Carolyn_200242095_MSC_BIOL_Fall2013.pdf

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology, University of Regina. ix, 113 l. Natural gas development is currently expanding in south-western Saskatchewan and may be threatening the quality of the remaining grassland habitat. The effects of natural gas development on grassland birds are poorly understood but are often species-specific and vary across the species’ range. The purpose of my research is to (1) quantify aspects of grassland songbird breeding biology and (2) determine the effects of natural gas development on density and reproductive success of grassland songbirds. I found and monitored 392 nests of 7 species of grassland songbirds, including Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus), Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus), Sprague’s Pipit (Anthus spragueii), Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), Baird’s Sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii), Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) and Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta). I quantified and compared aspects of their breeding biology with published data in other parts of their range. Reproductive rates were typical of those found elsewhere. Time-specific variables (age and date) were included in the top models for nest survival for several species. Chestnut-collared Longspur nest survival increased during the incubation stage and decreased during the nestling stage and also decreased and then increased as the breeding season progressed. I also determined that Western Meadowlark nest survival increased and then decreased with increasing ambient temperature. Natural gas development features (compressor stations, gas wells, trails and fences) affected grassland songbird reproductive success, nest survival and density both negatively and positively. Vesper, Baird’s and Savannah sparrows had lower nest survival near wells, fences and trails, respectively, while Western Meadowlark experienced higher nest survival near trails. Generally, there ...