Ecological Science

Results from research programs contribute to the biological foundation for and evaluation of bird conservation activities, and are necessary to accomplish defensible biological planning. Below you'll find information about some of the research Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) has been involved with.

Recharge Rates and Chemistry Beneath Playas of the High Plains Aquifer

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the PLJV, conducted a review and synthesis of more than 175 publications about recharge rates and chemistry beneath playas and interplaya settings. The results from most published studies indicate that recharge rates beneath playas are substantially (1 to 2 orders of magnitude) higher than recharge rates beneath interplaya settings. The synthesis supports the conceptual model that playas are important zones of recharge to the High Plains aquifer and are not strictly evaporative pans; it yields science-based implications for the protection and management of playas and ground-water resources of the High Plains aquifer and provides directions for future research. For more information, read the full report, Recharge Rates and Chemistry Beneath Playas of the High Plains Aquifer—A Literature Review and Synthesis, or call us at 303-926-0777 to request copies of the four-page executive summary.

Climate Change in the PLJV Region

An assessment of climate change impacts in the playa lakes region was conducted by Dr. John Matthews, Climate Change Adaptation Specialist for the World Wildlife Fund. The assessment serves to inform PLJV partners of the realized and potential impacts of climate change to bird habitats and populations in the region and to recommend appropriate habitat conservation actions to compensate for these impacts. Nearly 100 research papers, reports and other sources were reviewed and analyzed for the assessment. The assessment provides an overview of ongoing and predicted climate and weather changes and trends, and how these changes are impacting birds and bird habitats now and into the future. For more information, download the assessment report, Anthropogenic Climate Change in the Playa Lakes Joint Venture Region: Understanding Impacts, Discerning Trends, and Developing Responses, or the Climate Change Powerpoint presentation.

Effects of the Conservation Reserve Program on Priority Shortgrass and Mixed-grass Prairie Birds

The PLJV conducted two studies to quantify the effects of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) on priority birds in the shortgrass (Bird Conservation Region 18) and mixed-grass (Bird Conservation Region BCR 19) prairies. These studies quantify the impacts of CRP on regional bird populations and explicitly answer the question, "How many birds does CRP support?" Both studies were funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service through the Conservation Effects Assessment Project program. For more information, read the project reports or USDA conservation insights below.

Project Reports

USDA Conservation Insights

Potential of the Conservation Reserve Program to Offset Impacts of Climate Change on Lesser Prairie-Chicken

In 2011, PLJV, in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, completed a Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Effects Assessment Project to model projected changes in vegetation structure as the climate changes in the PLJV region and relate them to potential changes in Lesser Prairie-Chicken numbers. Climate change and dynamic vegetation models were used to project future climate and grassland habitat conditions within the region, including the current Lesser Prairie-Chicken range. These models provide insight as to where and what kinds of changes are most likely to occur and help resource managers target conservation efforts for maximum long-range benefits. For more information, read the project report, Evaluating the Potential of the Conservation Reserve Program to Offset Projected Impacts of Climate Change on the Lesser Prairie-Chicken.

Management of the Conservation Reserve Program for Lesser Prairie-Chicken

Oklahoma State University conducted a study to evaluate and develop recommendations for removing invasive grasses in CRP fields within the current Lesser Prairie-Chicken range. Cost estimates and the likelihood of success were also calculated. The final report includes a flow chart that can be used to easily determine the appropriate conversion process of the CRP field, if necessary, and appropriate management following conversion to a more suitable habitat for Lesser Prairie-Chicken. For more information, download the report, Management of CRP in the Southern Great Plains for the Lesser Prairie-Chicken.