Factors Affecting Mountain Plover Sample Clauses

Factors Affecting Mountain Plover. Historically, the conversion of grassland to cropland likely contributed to the decline of the mountain plover. Livestock grazing occurs throughout the nesting habitat of the mountain plover and often favors uniform cover, unlike historical grazing regimes that provided a mosaic of grasses, forbs, and bare ground for the species. Although much of the natural habitat in the mountain plover’s wintering range has been lost (largely in California), the habitat loss does not seem to have limited plover populations. Therefore, the FWS has found that habitat loss does not pose a significant threat to the mountain plover. Predation influences the productivity of all ground-nesting birds, including the mountain plover. Mountain plover eggs and chicks are the most vulnerable to terrestrial and avian predation. Although nesting success may be affected locally in some years, it is not a persistent factor throughout the species’ range. Because mountain plovers congregate in large flocks on the wintering grounds, they may be more vulnerable to local catastrophic events there, although the likelihood of such an event is small. Control of grasshoppers and other pests on private lands may also pose a threat to the mountain plover. Additionally, mountain plovers may be exposed to pesticides and other chemicals while they occupy winter habitat in California. However, a review of exposure to various chemicals showed that concentrations were below thresholds that cause population-level effects.