A geographic study of the vegetation structure of Bachman’s sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis) breeding habitat

January 22, 2021

The vegetation structure of Bachman’s Sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis) breeding habitat was studied in Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Bachman’s Sparrows occupied areas with relatively low values (i.e., [less than] 34%) in percent woody cover, tree density (203/ha) and percent forb cover, but with higher (i.e., [greater than] 58%) values in percent ground cover, percent grass cover, and percent litter cover. Vertical vegetation density was much higher under the 90 cm mark than above it. Univariate and multivariate statistics indicated significant differences in vegetation structure among the five study regions. Variables that showed little variation (e.g., percent litter cover, percent grass cover, litter depth, and vegetation density 0-90 cm) among the five regions may be more important in determining habitat suitability for Bachman’s Sparrows, than variables that showed considerable variation (e.g., woody vegetation height, percent forb cover, and grass height).