Avian Inventory and Habitat Analysis of the Weippe Prairie, Nez Perce National Historical Park
Project ID: P16AC01416
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: University of Idaho
Fiscal Year: 2016
Initial Funding: $61,567
Total Funding: $99,737
Project Type: Research
Project Disciplines: Biological
National Park: Nez Perce National Historical Park
Principal Investigator: Vierling, Kerri
Agreement Technical Representative: Lyon, Jason
Abstract: Investigators from UI and NPS staff will collaborate to accomplish the following specific objectives.
The overall focus of this project is to investigate and evaluate relationships between bird species composition and their habitats on Weippe Prairie to guide future restoration activities and to increase understanding of the bird communities currently present. There are three primary objectives:
1. Inventory the avian species present on the Weippe Prairie. Determine seasonality of use and whether the avian community is composed primarily of shrub associated species, grassland/wetland, or a mix of species.
2. Assess bird diversity at the Weippe Prairie and how environmental features such as hawthorn height and/or density, hydrological regime, and understory vegetative composition impacts bird diversity and usage patterns across the site.
3. Conduct nest surveys at Weippe Prairie to determine nest survival of ground and shrub nesters and reproductive success.