Water levels, rapid vegetational changes, and the endangered Cape Sable seaside-sparrow

M. Philip Nott; O. L. Bass; D. M. Fleming; S. E. Killeffer; N. Fraley; L. Manne; J. L. Curnutt; Thomas M. Brooks; Robert Powell; S. L. Pimm

doi:10.1111/j.1469-1795.1998.tb00222.x

USGS · 70020649

Water levels, rapid vegetational changes, and the endangered Cape Sable seaside-sparrow

M. Philip Nott·O. L. Bass·D. M. Fleming·S. E. Killeffer·N. Fraley·L. Manne·J. L. Curnutt·Thomas M. Brooks·Robert Powell·S. L. Pimm

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Abstract

The legally endangered Cape Sable seaside-sparrow ( Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis ) is restricted to short-hydroperiod, marl prairies within Florida's Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. Marl prairies are typified by dense, mixed stands of graminoid species usually below 1 m in height, naturally inundated by freshwater for 3–7 months annually. Water levels affect the birds directly, by flooding their nests, and indirectly by altering the habitat on which they depend. Managed redistribution of water flows flooded nearly half of the sparrow's geographical range during several consecutive breeding seasons starting in 1993. Furthermore, these high water levels rapidly changed plant communities, so jeopardizing the sparrow's survival by reducing the availability of nesting habitat.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 25.053039022453717° to 26.27575777292742° latitude; -81.3387659074362° to -80.44465322256413° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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M. Philip Nott, O. L. Bass, D. M. Fleming, S. E. Killeffer, N. Fraley, L. Manne, J. L. Curnutt, Thomas M. Brooks, Robert Powell, S. L. Pimm. 2006-02-28. Water levels, rapid vegetational changes, and the endangered Cape Sable seaside-sparrow. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-1795.1998.tb00222.x

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