Embracing inherent and imposed sources of heterogeneity in rangeland bird management

Abstract Rangeland simplification is a global threat to biodiversity. Historically, rangelands exhibited varied vegetation structure, which provided diverse wildlife habitat. Vegetation heterogeneity resulted from interactions between topoedaphic (inherent heterogeneity) and disturbance factors (imposed heterogeneity). Until recently, these interactive sources of have been ignored in rangeland management study. Under an emerging paradigm that embraces heterogeneity, contributions conditions biodiversity remain largely unknown. Using the avian community, we assessed effects wetland area, ecological site, topographic roughness four grazing strategies heterogeneity; patch‐burn with one or two seasons fire, season‐long grazing, modified twice‐over rotational variably stocked paddocks) on diversity, community composition, densities. The interaction inherent imposed influenced composition but not species‐specific structural over years, though generated temporal stability structure compared grazing. Patch‐burn pastures had higher diversity than Community was sensitive roughness, suggesting both fire‐grazing maintain Out our six grassland obligate focal bird species, responded while three were most heterogeneity. One western meadowlark ( Sturnella neglecta ), did respond either source potentially indicating responsiveness outside study, such as annual precipitation at fine scales. Our results indicate are important shaping abundance, conserving future will require managing for greater embracing existing landscape variability.