A Comparative Study of Honey Mesquite Woodlands in Southern Nevada and Their Use by Phainopeplas and Other Avian Species
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UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-1998 A comparative study of honey mesquite woodlands in southern Nevada and their use by phainopeplas and other avian species Jeri Brastrup Krueger University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Krueger, Jeri Brastrup, "A comparative study of honey mesquite woodlands in southern Nevada and their use by phainopeplas and other avian species" (1998). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 843. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/yjvi-ktl6 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. 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Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF HONEY MESQUITE WOODLANDS IN SOUTHERN NEVADA AND THEIR USE BY PHAINOPEPLAS AND OTHER AVIAN SPECIES by Jeri Brastrup Krueger Bachelor of Science Colorado State University 1993 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biology Department of Biological Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas May 1998 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 139 0646 UMI Microform 1390646 Copyright 1998, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Thesis Approval The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas April 20_________ , 19 98 The Thesis prepared by ___________ Jeri Brastrup Krueger Entitled A Comparative Study of Four Honey Mesquite Woodlands in ______Southern Nevada and Their Use by Phainopeplas______ and Other Avian Species is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science QIacX Examitiation Cotimiitttv Cluiir Dean of the Cjadlate College I j Examination Committee Member, -, Examination Committee Member Graduate College Faculty Representative 11 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT A Comparative Study of Honey Mesquite Woodlands in Southern Nevada and Their Use by Phainopeplas and Other Avian Species by Jeri Brastrup Krueger Dr. Charles Douglas, Examination Committee Chair Professor of Biology University of Nevada, Las Vegas A study of four honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana) woodlands located at Moapa, Stewart Valley, Pah rump, and Stump Spring in southern Nevada was conducted to 1) describe the current condition of mesquite woodlands, 2) compare avian community indices among the four sites, and 3) locate breeding Phainopepla populations and determine breeding season, nesting success, and habitat requirements. Groundwater was closest to the surface at Stewart Valley, which contained the oldest and largest trees. Moapa had the greatest avian density and species richness for all species, and greatest species richness for breeding birds. No differences were detected in species diversity for all species and for breeding species only among the four sites. Moapa was the only site that supported a Phainopepla breeding population. Phainopepla selected larger trees 111 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. with fewer stems and heavy Phoradendron infection for nesting sites, and breeding success was reduced when birds nested lower in the tree and did not build nests within the protection of a Phoradendron clump. IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................................iii LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................... viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...................................................................................................... x CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................I History and Status of Prosopis (Honey Mesquite) in the Southwestern United States ......................................................1 The Role of Prosopis as Avian H a b itat............................................................5 An Overview of the Ecology and Status of Phainopepla nitens................. 8 Objectives and Hypotheses .............................................................................. 11 Literature Cited ..................................................................................................15 CHAPTER 2 A COMPARISON OF STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS FOR FOUR Prosopis (HONEY MESQUITE) WOODLANDS IN SOUTHERN NEVADA ...............................................................................................24 Introduction ........................................................................................................24 Materials and Methods ...................................................................................... 27 Results and Discussion ....................................................................................34 Literature Cited .................................................................................................52 CHAPTER 3 AVIAN USE OF FOUR Prosopis (HONEY MESQUITE) WOODLANDS IN SOUTHERN NEVADA ..............................................................58 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 58 Materials and Methods ......................................................................................61 Results and Discussion ....................................................................................62 Literature Cited .................................................................................................72 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. 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CHAPTER 4 BREEDING SUCCESS AND NEST SITE SELECTION OF Phainopepla nitens IN A SOUTHERN NEVADA Prosopis W OODLAND.................................................................................................76 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 76 Materials and Methods ......................................................................................78 Breeding Season and Nesting Success ..............................................78 Nest Site Selection ...............................................................................79 Results and Discussion ....................................................................................81 Breeding Season and Nesting Success ..............................................81 Nest Site Selection ...............................................................................85 Management Implications ..................................................................92