EVALUATION OF RECLAIMED SURFACE MINES AS WILD TURKEY BROOD RANGE

Abstract A surface mine classification system was developed based on subjective evaluation of vegetation types. Five vegetation classifications and a control site (unmined) were tested with two broods (one early and one later) of imprinted wild turkey poults (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris). Feeding...

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Main Authors: Roger J. Anderson, David E. Samuel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 1980-01-01
Series:Wildlife Society Bulletin
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.1980.tb00132.x
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author Roger J. Anderson
David E. Samuel
author_facet Roger J. Anderson
David E. Samuel
author_sort Roger J. Anderson
collection DOAJ
description Abstract A surface mine classification system was developed based on subjective evaluation of vegetation types. Five vegetation classifications and a control site (unmined) were tested with two broods (one early and one later) of imprinted wild turkey poults (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris). Feeding behavior and distress reaction observations indicated classes 2 (sapling with grass legume understory) and 5 (primarily volunteer under and overstory) provided the best combination of invertebrate availability and cover density for wild turkey broods when compared to unmined control sites. Classes 1 (grassland), 3 (grassland with pole stage overstory) and 4 (plantation) appeared to be marginal habitat. There was, however, increased feeding observed on class 1 mines during the late brood period. Numbers of invertebrates consumed were directly related to availability. Invertebrate availability was highest on class 2 (P <.05), sites. Class 5 ranked second, but showed no significant difference in invertebrate productivity (P <.05) when compared to unmined control sites. The remaining classes 1, 3 and 4 showed significantly less invertebrate productivity (P >.05) than classes 2, 5 and the unmined control site. Classes 2, 5 and the control provided a denser vegetation mat, hence, better escape cover than classes 1, 3 and 4. Management recommendations are presented.
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spelling doaj-art-9323a0c1aebc4723a937463f6442e1cb2025-08-20T03:19:23ZengWileyWildlife Society Bulletin2328-55401980-01-011980S118620210.1002/j.2328-5540.1980.tb00132.xEVALUATION OF RECLAIMED SURFACE MINES AS WILD TURKEY BROOD RANGERoger J. Anderson0David E. Samuel1West Virginia Department of Natural ResourcesElkinsWV26241Division of ForestryWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWV26506Abstract A surface mine classification system was developed based on subjective evaluation of vegetation types. Five vegetation classifications and a control site (unmined) were tested with two broods (one early and one later) of imprinted wild turkey poults (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris). Feeding behavior and distress reaction observations indicated classes 2 (sapling with grass legume understory) and 5 (primarily volunteer under and overstory) provided the best combination of invertebrate availability and cover density for wild turkey broods when compared to unmined control sites. Classes 1 (grassland), 3 (grassland with pole stage overstory) and 4 (plantation) appeared to be marginal habitat. There was, however, increased feeding observed on class 1 mines during the late brood period. Numbers of invertebrates consumed were directly related to availability. Invertebrate availability was highest on class 2 (P <.05), sites. Class 5 ranked second, but showed no significant difference in invertebrate productivity (P <.05) when compared to unmined control sites. The remaining classes 1, 3 and 4 showed significantly less invertebrate productivity (P >.05) than classes 2, 5 and the unmined control site. Classes 2, 5 and the control provided a denser vegetation mat, hence, better escape cover than classes 1, 3 and 4. Management recommendations are presented.https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.1980.tb00132.x
spellingShingle Roger J. Anderson
David E. Samuel
EVALUATION OF RECLAIMED SURFACE MINES AS WILD TURKEY BROOD RANGE
Wildlife Society Bulletin
title EVALUATION OF RECLAIMED SURFACE MINES AS WILD TURKEY BROOD RANGE
title_full EVALUATION OF RECLAIMED SURFACE MINES AS WILD TURKEY BROOD RANGE
title_fullStr EVALUATION OF RECLAIMED SURFACE MINES AS WILD TURKEY BROOD RANGE
title_full_unstemmed EVALUATION OF RECLAIMED SURFACE MINES AS WILD TURKEY BROOD RANGE
title_short EVALUATION OF RECLAIMED SURFACE MINES AS WILD TURKEY BROOD RANGE
title_sort evaluation of reclaimed surface mines as wild turkey brood range
url https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.1980.tb00132.x
work_keys_str_mv AT rogerjanderson evaluationofreclaimedsurfaceminesaswildturkeybroodrange
AT davidesamuel evaluationofreclaimedsurfaceminesaswildturkeybroodrange