| Grassland Evaluation Contest Study Guide | Sixth Edition: August 2009 |
| Wildlife Habitat | |
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Native grasslands historically covered much of the United States. At present, Missouri has some thirteen million acres of grassland ranging in use from agricultural production to wildlife habitat. Of the thirteen million, less than ½ of 1% remains as native grasslands. However, many grassland wildlife species have adapted to well-managed non native grasslands. These grassland dependent species are in decline nationwide due to decrease in diversity and quality management. Wildlife habitat requirements are compatible with attentive livestock grazing or haying. Grasslands provide food and cover for many species of wildlife. Open prairie species nest and raise broods in expansive grassland and only use a very small amount of shrubs for summer thermal cover. As such, prairie chickens, upland sandpipers, and meadowlarks each attain their primary life cycle needs from grassland that is adequately managed. Species like the Eastern Cottontail rabbit, Northern bobwhite quail, and Eastern Wild Turkey use diverse grasslands along with other adjacent cover types to satisfy life cycle requirements. They prefer grassland for nesting and brooding, intermixed with dense shrubby cover, woodlands, and crop or fallow fields. Interspersion of multiple, different cover types are most beneficial. The most important function of grassland for wildlife is to provide cover for nesting. Nesting cover must offer specific characteristics to support wildlife. The density and amount of vertical structure provided by grasses and forbs at the time of nest initiation often determines the value of the grassland for nesting. Vertical structure is usually determined by grazing or other management. Proper grazing management normally improves nesting and brooding habitat compared to idle grasslands, whereas grasslands that are improperly grazed may be practically useless for most wildlife activity. In the absence of careful planning, rotational grazing methods can even be detrimental to grassland wildlife nesting. Grasslands are also an important source of wildlife food. The species of wildlife desired or already present in grassland will determine the plant varieties which are needed. For quail and other songbirds that require seeds in their diet, large amounts of seed-producing annual plants will increase the value of grassland. In contrast, rabbits consume the vegetative parts of grasses, legumes, and many other broad-leaved plants. If these plants are removed by continuous, severe grazing or haying, the carrying capacity of the grassland will be reduced. Generally, the higher the plant diversity, the more value the field will have for species like quail and rabbits.
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