Fire in North American Wetland Ecosystems and Fire-Wildlife Relations: An Annotated Bibliography

121. Kaiser, P. H., S. S. Berlinger, and L. H. Fredrickson. 1979. Response of 
          blue-winged teal to range management on Waterfowl Production Areas 
          in southeastern South Dakota. J. Range Manage. 32:295-298.

Blue-winged teal were the predominant upland-nesting waterfowl in southeastern South Dakota Waterfowl Production Areas. Excellent range condition (high proportion of climax vegetation and matted residual material) contributed to high nest density and success in native plant communities. Residual vegetation forming a matted mulch was likewise a determinant of nest density and success in tame plant communities, with smooth brome demonstrating greatest nest density. Management of native plant communities to obtain optimum conditions for waterfowl requires proper use of burning, grazing, resting, and haying. Although best manipulations of tame grass communities are unknown, substantial resting to permit mulch development was an appropriate technique on the areas studied. [K-L-S]

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