Influence of Overhead Vegetation and Economic impact on Nest Success of Ground-Nesting Birds in Chinese Grasslands: A Case Study From Inner Mongolia

Abstract

China’s semi-arid grasslands, particularly in Inner Mongolia, are undergoing rapid ecological changes due to overgrazing, agricultural expansion, and land degradation—threatening the reproductive success of native ground-nesting birds. This study investigates how overhead vegetation structure influences nest site selection and survival of the Mongolian Lark (Melanocorypha mongolica) and examines the broader economic implications of habitat degradation on avian reproductive success. Across 4 breeding seasons (2018–2022), 147 nests were monitored, revealing a 73% failure rate—predation being the primary cause. Using logistic regression and habitat modeling, results showed that denser overhead vegetation significantly improved daily nest survival rates, highlighting its protective role against aerial predators and microclimatic stress. Birds showed a clear preference for structurally complex, shrubby grasslands with tall clumps and high upper visual obstruction, while edges and perches had minimal influence on site selection. These findings underscore the ecological value of maintaining vegetation heterogeneity and suggest that preserving or restoring such features has cost-effective benefits for avian biodiversity. Economically, the conservation of structurally intact grasslands could reduce the need for costly species protection programs by enhancing natural nest survival. Therefore, habitat management strategies that promote tall, overhead vegetation in grasslands represent not only an ecological priority but also a sustainable investment in biodiversity conservation.