Survival of ring-necked pheasant hens during spring in relation to landscape features

Management of ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in agricultural landscapes would be enhanced by knowledge of the relation between survival and habitat composition and configuration. We related survival and habitat use of hen pheasants during spring in Iowa with landscape characteristics in an area of high habitat diversity with 25.0% grassland and an area of low habitat diversity with 9.3% grassland. Survival of 215 radiomarked hens from 1 April to 3 June 1992-94 averaged 0.81 and did not differ between areas (P = 0.756). Predation was the cause of death in 87.5% of the cases, with 66.7% of all deaths attributed to mammals, especially red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Home ranges of 57 hens averaged 36.6 ha in the high diversity area and 47.7 ha in the low diversity area and did not differ between areas (P = 0.603). Density of edge between grassland and other habitats was predictive of the hazard rate, and the odds of mortality increased 2% for every 10 m/ha of additional edge in the home range. Hens with home ranges characterized by small patches of grassland within the cropland matrix survived as well as those with large blocks of grassland in their home range. Understanding how changes in composition and configuration of landscapes affects wildlife demographics at multiple scales can improve managers' ability to take advantage of agricultural conservation programs.