On reversing the northern bobwhite population decline: 20 years later

The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) decline has become acause célébreof wildlife conservation during the past 2 decades. With few exceptions, current broad-scale population trends show ongoing erosion in bobwhite numbers across most of the species' range. The causes of these declines ar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Wildlife Society bulletin 2013-03, Vol.37 (1), p.177-188
Main Authors: Hernández, Fidel, Brennan, Leonard A., DeMaso, Stephen J., Sands, Joseph P., Wester, David B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adaptive management
Agricultural management
bobwhite
Bobwhites
Colinus virginianus
conservation planning
Depopulation
Habitat conservation
Habitat fragmentation
northern bobwhite
Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative
Original Article
quail
Quails
Wildlife conservation
Wildlife ecology
Wildlife habitats
Wildlife management
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Summary:The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) decline has become acause célébreof wildlife conservation during the past 2 decades. With few exceptions, current broad-scale population trends show ongoing erosion in bobwhite numbers across most of the species' range. The causes of these declines are ultimate factors exacerbated by certain proximate factors. Ultimate factors are centered on the loss and fragmentation of habitat. Proximate factors such as predation and disease also may be present. The impacts of some factors, such as climate change, remain unknown but may influence bobwhite population trajectories over the long term. Progress has occurred in bobwhite conservation efforts since 1990 and has culminated in the formation of the National Bobwhite Technical Committee and the publication of the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative. The vast majority of prevailing agricultural, forestry, and to some extent rangeland land uses in the United States continue as threats to bobwhite population persistence in the foreseeable future. Land-use patterns that once sustained widespread abundance of northern bobwhite during the early 20th century clearly are past and likely never to return. Landscape features that sustain and elevate northern bobwhite populations will only be maintained as a function of purposeful management actions directed at saving and creating usable space.
ISSN:1938-5463
2328-5540
1938-5463
2328-5540
DOI:10.1002/wsb.223