Article Abstract:
Two areas in northern Iowa were chosen for the study of pheasant ecology aimed at determining how demographic rates and population size are affected by landscape-scale habitat factors. One was a high diversity area in Palo Alto County while the other was a low diversity area in Kossuth County. The average survival rate for 215 radiomarked hens from Apr 1 to Jun 3, 1992-1994 was placed at 0.81, with no difference between the two areas. Averages of 36.6 ha and 47.7 ha were noted in the home ranges of 57 hens in the high diversity and low diversity area, respectively.
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Article Abstract:
Survival of ring-necked pheasant chicks is not well understood, with previous studies showing large discrepancies. A new study investigates the survival rate of ring-necked pheasant chicks during brood rearing and shows that grassland habitat is a valuable resource for nesting and brood rearing. The study shows that the main cause of chick mortality is predation, although exposure to severe weather is an occasional hazard. It is concluded that a landscape with around 25% grass and legume cover is the most favourable habitat for successful rearing.
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Article Abstract:
Land use changes have affected the nesting success of ring-necked pheasants, with habitat fragmentation and intensified farming hindering nesting success. Small patch size can affect predation levels and preserving small sites of good habitat is not enough to boost nesting success. A study in Iowa shows that large undisturbed fields fields have better nesting success, and the best rate was in fields four times as big as the size usually set aside to provide cover for pheasants.
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