INVERTEBRATE AVAILABILITY FOR WILD TURKEY POULTS IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS
Abstract: We determined macroinvertebrate availability for wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) poults in western North Carolina in relation to vegetation and topography. More invertebrates were found within forest stands than openings; however, the density of preferred insects was equal to or higher i...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2000-01-01
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| Series: | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.2000.tb00264.x |
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| author | Craig A. Harper Jody K. Knox David C. Guynn Jr. J. Rickie Davis James G. Williams |
| author_facet | Craig A. Harper Jody K. Knox David C. Guynn Jr. J. Rickie Davis James G. Williams |
| author_sort | Craig A. Harper |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract: We determined macroinvertebrate availability for wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) poults in western North Carolina in relation to vegetation and topography. More invertebrates were found within forest stands than openings; however, the density of preferred insects was equal to or higher in openings than in forested habitats. Density and biomass of invertebrate classes varied among forest types and age classes. Overall invertebrate density and biomass were positively correlated with herbaceous cover and leaf litter weight within the forest strata. The importance of vegetation structure for invertebrates and wild turkey poults is discussed. Unmanaged openings of naturally occurring forbs and grasses harbored more invertebrates (all classes combined) than openings managed for various clovers and orchardgrass; however, density and biomass of preferred insects did not differ between opening types. Recommendations for managing openings for wild turkey broods on national forests in the southern Appalachians include eliminating perennial grasses from the initial planting mixture and adopting a minimum maintenance philosophy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0625853d9a5346f29213bc3bcb2daeb6 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2328-5540 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2000-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| spelling | doaj-art-0625853d9a5346f29213bc3bcb2daeb62025-08-20T02:05:27ZengWileyWildlife Society Bulletin2328-55402000-01-012000S114515610.1002/j.2328-5540.2000.tb00264.xINVERTEBRATE AVAILABILITY FOR WILD TURKEY POULTS IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANSCraig A. Harper0Jody K. Knox1David C. Guynn Jr.2J. Rickie Davis3James G. Williams4Department of Forest ResourcesClemson UniversityClemsonSC29634USADepartment of Forest ResourcesClemson UniversityClemsonSC29634USADepartment of Forest ResourcesClemson UniversityClemsonSC29634USADepartment of Forest ResourcesClemson UniversityClemsonSC29634USADepartment of Forest ResourcesClemson UniversityClemsonSC29634USAAbstract: We determined macroinvertebrate availability for wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) poults in western North Carolina in relation to vegetation and topography. More invertebrates were found within forest stands than openings; however, the density of preferred insects was equal to or higher in openings than in forested habitats. Density and biomass of invertebrate classes varied among forest types and age classes. Overall invertebrate density and biomass were positively correlated with herbaceous cover and leaf litter weight within the forest strata. The importance of vegetation structure for invertebrates and wild turkey poults is discussed. Unmanaged openings of naturally occurring forbs and grasses harbored more invertebrates (all classes combined) than openings managed for various clovers and orchardgrass; however, density and biomass of preferred insects did not differ between opening types. Recommendations for managing openings for wild turkey broods on national forests in the southern Appalachians include eliminating perennial grasses from the initial planting mixture and adopting a minimum maintenance philosophy.https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.2000.tb00264.xbroodsfood plotsinsectsmacroinvertebratesMeleagris gallopavoopenings |
| spellingShingle | Craig A. Harper Jody K. Knox David C. Guynn Jr. J. Rickie Davis James G. Williams INVERTEBRATE AVAILABILITY FOR WILD TURKEY POULTS IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS Wildlife Society Bulletin broods food plots insects macroinvertebrates Meleagris gallopavo openings |
| title | INVERTEBRATE AVAILABILITY FOR WILD TURKEY POULTS IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS |
| title_full | INVERTEBRATE AVAILABILITY FOR WILD TURKEY POULTS IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS |
| title_fullStr | INVERTEBRATE AVAILABILITY FOR WILD TURKEY POULTS IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS |
| title_full_unstemmed | INVERTEBRATE AVAILABILITY FOR WILD TURKEY POULTS IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS |
| title_short | INVERTEBRATE AVAILABILITY FOR WILD TURKEY POULTS IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS |
| title_sort | invertebrate availability for wild turkey poults in the southern appalachians |
| topic | broods food plots insects macroinvertebrates Meleagris gallopavo openings |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.2000.tb00264.x |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT craigaharper invertebrateavailabilityforwildturkeypoultsinthesouthernappalachians AT jodykknox invertebrateavailabilityforwildturkeypoultsinthesouthernappalachians AT davidcguynnjr invertebrateavailabilityforwildturkeypoultsinthesouthernappalachians AT jrickiedavis invertebrateavailabilityforwildturkeypoultsinthesouthernappalachians AT jamesgwilliams invertebrateavailabilityforwildturkeypoultsinthesouthernappalachians |