Response of nesting Lapland longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus) to burned tundra on the Seward Peninsula
Wright JM. 1981. Response of nesting Lapland longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus) to burned tundra on the Seward Peninsula. Arctic. 34(4):366-369
This 1981 article reports on a study by an Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game researcher. The response of breeding Lapland longspurs to burned sedge-tussock-shrub tundra was studied in 1978 near the Inmachuk River in an area burned by lightning-ignited fires during 1977. Plant standing crop in burned tundra was found to be #5% of standing crop in unburned tundra. Lapland longspurs were less abundant in burned than in unburned tundra; an average of 1.4 longspurs/hr were seen in burned areas as opposed to 4.6/hr in unburned areas. Nest locations in burned and unburned areas were similar. Speculation is offered as to the factors that might have influenced the bird densities observed.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Wright, John
- Units
- BELA
- Keywords
- Abundance, Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Birds, Calcarius lapponicus, Inmachuk River, Lapland longspurs, Nesting, Nests, Seward Peninsula, Tundra, Utica Creek, Wildfires