Analysis of the Habitat of Henslow's Sparrows and Grasshopper Sparrows Compared to Random Grassland Areas. KRISTEN MAIER (University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL 60607) ROD WALTON (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL, 60510)

Henslow's Sparrows are endangered prairie birds, and Grasshopper Sparrows are considered rare prairie birds. Both of these birds were abundant in Illinois, but their populations have been declining due to loss of the grasslands. This begins an ongoing study of the birds' habitat so Fermilab can develop a land management plan for the Henslow's and Grasshoppers. The Henslow's were found at ten sites and Grasshoppers at eight sites. Once the birds were located, the vegetation at their sites was studied. Measurements of the maximum plant height, average plant height, and duff height were taken and estimates of the percent of grass, forbs, duff, and bare ground were recorded for each square meter studied. The same measurements were taken at ten random grassland sites on Fermilab property. Several t-tests were performed on the data, and it was found that both Henslow's Sparrows and Grasshopper Sparrows preferred areas with a larger percentage of grass than random areas. Henslow's also preferred areas with less bare ground than random areas, while Grasshoppers preferred areas with more bare ground than random areas. In addition, Grasshopper Sparrows preferred a lower percentage of forbs than was found in random areas and a shorter average plant height than the random locations. Two-sample variance tests suggested significantly less variance for both Henslow's Sparrows and Grasshopper Sparrows for maximum plant height in comparison to the random sites. For both birds, the test suggested a significant difference in the variance of the percentage of bare ground compared to random sites, but only the Grasshopper Sparrow showed significance in the variation in the percentage of forbs compared to random locations. Further research should survey additional areas where the birds are found that were not studied for this paper so that the sampling can be as thorough as possible.

Analysis of the Vegetation in the Meadow Fritillary Habitat. DOROTHY WYRZYKOWSKI (University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL 60607) RODNEY WALTON (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL, 60510)

The detrimental effects of habitat fragmentation and loss in the Midwest have created an increasing challenge to preserve rare and endangered species. Meadow Fritillary butterflies, uncommon in the Chicago region, yet found in Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois, are considered to be highly remnant-dependent with specific habitat preferences and needs. The natural area index rating, an assessment of vegetation in Kane County, was measured at three locations. Using a butterfly transect monitoring method, in conjunction with a quadrat study, the percent of several plant species in each quadrat, maximum plant height, and percent of bare ground was measured. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed that relative abundance of butterflies was found to be statistically significant to the percent cover of violets and dandelions. All three sites had a low natural area index rating, contradicting the widely accepted belief that Meadow Fritillaries are highly remnant-dependent. Further research is suggested for evaluating the specific needs of Meadow Fritillaries and their preferred habitats.